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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| North Sea cod fishing ban urged | North Sea cod fishing ban urged |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A complete ban on cod fishing has again been recommended by experts until severely depleted stocks recover. | A complete ban on cod fishing has again been recommended by experts until severely depleted stocks recover. |
| The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices) has said there should be a total ban for 2007. | The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices) has said there should be a total ban for 2007. |
| Ices' Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM) said a zero catch is needed for the next two years for North Sea stocks to reach target levels. | Ices' Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM) said a zero catch is needed for the next two years for North Sea stocks to reach target levels. |
| The committee's recommendations will go to European governments, and fishing quotas will be set in December. | The committee's recommendations will go to European governments, and fishing quotas will be set in December. |
| Lowest level | Lowest level |
| Its report for the area which includes the North Sea and eastern English Channel said a ban for 2007 would see stocks rise above the minimum desired level of 70,000 tonnes. | Its report for the area which includes the North Sea and eastern English Channel said a ban for 2007 would see stocks rise above the minimum desired level of 70,000 tonnes. |
| FISH SPAWNING GROUNDS UK fishing industry in figures | |
| However, it would not be enough to reach the target of 150,000 tonnes agreed by the European Union and Norway in 2005. | However, it would not be enough to reach the target of 150,000 tonnes agreed by the European Union and Norway in 2005. |
| Any catches that are taken in 2007 will prolong recovery to the target level, the report warned. | Any catches that are taken in 2007 will prolong recovery to the target level, the report warned. |
| It said that the stock had been reduced to a stage where productivity was impaired, and that it was at or near its lowest observed level. | It said that the stock had been reduced to a stage where productivity was impaired, and that it was at or near its lowest observed level. |
| Advice rejected | Advice rejected |
| The report said stocks of cod, sand eel and anchovy remained below sustainable limits, but recommended an increase of about 75% in the quota of Norwegian spring spawning herring. | The report said stocks of cod, sand eel and anchovy remained below sustainable limits, but recommended an increase of about 75% in the quota of Norwegian spring spawning herring. |
| Smaller quota increases are urged for mackerel and hake, while small reductions are called for with plaice, blue whiting and sole. | Smaller quota increases are urged for mackerel and hake, while small reductions are called for with plaice, blue whiting and sole. |
| A complete halt to cod fishing in the North Sea has been recommended every year since 2001, but each time European fisheries ministers have rejected the advice. | A complete halt to cod fishing in the North Sea has been recommended every year since 2001, but each time European fisheries ministers have rejected the advice. |
| Quotas have ranged from 49,000 tonnes in 2001 to 23,000 tonnes in 2006. | Quotas have ranged from 49,000 tonnes in 2001 to 23,000 tonnes in 2006. |
| "Unreported fishing" also exists - where cod are discarded either because they are too small to be landed legally or the quota has already been fulfilled. | "Unreported fishing" also exists - where cod are discarded either because they are too small to be landed legally or the quota has already been fulfilled. |
| Dr Tom Pickerell, fisheries policy officer with environmental charity WWF-UK, said the question remained over when ministers would follow the scientific advice they were given. | Dr Tom Pickerell, fisheries policy officer with environmental charity WWF-UK, said the question remained over when ministers would follow the scientific advice they were given. |
| Dick James, of Northern Ireland's Fish Producers Organisation, said the problem of low cod stocks was down to climate change rather than overfishing. | Dick James, of Northern Ireland's Fish Producers Organisation, said the problem of low cod stocks was down to climate change rather than overfishing. |
| The Scottish Fisherman's Federation said "draconian cuts" to allowances would have a serious impact on the Scottish fleet. | The Scottish Fisherman's Federation said "draconian cuts" to allowances would have a serious impact on the Scottish fleet. |