Iberia to Close Hake and Langoustine Fishing Areas
Date: 25-Oct-05
Country: LUXEMBURG
The European Commission, which regulates EU fishing policy, had wanted to close five hake and langoustine trawling areas for longer periods to let stocks recover from years of overfishing, but the two nations said too many fishermen would lose their jobs.
EU fisheries ministers ordered the closure of two areas for the summer high season, when 65 percent of the annual catch of the two species is landed: one for three months off Spain's Galician coast, the other for four months off southwest Portugal.
The recovery plans will run for up to 10 years, until scientists say stocks of hake and langoustine, or Norway lobster, have returned to sustainable levels from the dangerously low level to which they have fallen.
Trawlermen are already restricted -- they can fish for both species for only a set number of days per month, and their annual catch is strictly limited because hake and langoustine numbers have fallen by more than half in the last 20 years.
The EU Commission spelt out its plans nearly two years ago, but Spain and Portugal have always resisted the idea of closing fishing areas, saying this would destroy small communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood.
The Commission originally wanted longer closures in more areas to replenish stocks, similar to those already in place to protect stocks of cod, sole and hake in northern EU waters.
