Council of the
European Union
Brussels, 17 September 2018
(OR. en)
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Interinstitutional File:
2018/0320(NLE)
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PECHE 339
NOTE
From:
General Secretariat of the Council
To:
Delegations
No. Cion doc.:
ST 11735/18 PECHE 320 + ADD 1 - COM (2018) 608 final + Annex
Subject:
Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2019 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in
the Baltic Sea
Delegations will find attached written comments by the Lithuanian delegation on the above-
mentioned proposal.
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ANNEX
Lithuanian written comments on the Proposal for a Council Regulation fixing for 2019 the
fishing opportunities fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea
Reference: COM (2018) 608 final– 31th August 2018
Lithuanian authorities wish to submit the following comments on the abovementioned proposal for
a Regulation.
In general, we welcome the European Commission’s proposal based on the principles of Common
Fisheries Policy, provisions of the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan and the guidelines envisaged in the
Communication on the Fishing Opportunities for 2019.
We appreciate that European Commission has taken into consideration both scientific advice and
socioeconomic issues and sought to provide a balanced proposal. However, we feel that the fishing
opportunities and related conditions for certain fish stocks should be further adjusted in order to
deliver the most suitable result.
Comments on opportunities of particular interest to Lithuania
1.
Western cod (Union waters of Subdivisions 22-24)
Total allowable catch (TAC) increase that advised by ICES is only based on one year – 2016, that
shows a strong year class. Besides, stock size indicators remain alarming: spawning stock size is
below MSY Btrigger and Blim. Based on that we would support a cautious Commission’s proposal to
set TAC within the lower part of Fmsy range.
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2.
Eastern cod (Union waters of Subdivisions 25-32)
We are greatly concerned by the prolonged deterioration of the stock status and the uncertainties in
the latest scientific advice. Although TACs for Eastern cod have been reduced by almost 57% in
2014–2018 and catches in the recent years are at historically lowest levels, it is obvious that drastic
reduction of fishing opportunities doesn’t give the desired result and the stock is not showing
recovery signs. Therefore, we could accept only a moderate reduction of the TAC, as proposed by
the Commission.
Lithuania hopes that the upcoming benchmark will allow conducting an analytical assessment of the
Eastern cod and will contribute to the long-term sustainable management of cod fisheries in the
Baltic.
Lithuania is not in favour of the proposed fishery closure period (“summer ban”) until we have not
received the latest (up-to-date) scientific evidence of the positive effects and scientific
recommendations on the most suitable timing of such closures on the cod stocks. However,
Lithuania acknowledges that the Member States can establish a closure periods on cod fishery for
their national Baltic Sea fleets.
3.
Central herring (Union waters of Subdivisions 25-27, 28.2, 29 and 32)
We are concerned that despite the aim of Multiannual plan to ensure the MSY and stability of
fisheries in the long-term perspective, this year we are facing the unexpected change in the
scientific perception of Central herring stock, which results a proposed significant reduction of the
TAC. Although according to ICES, Central herring stock is still in a good state. We do not support
big variations of TACs based on changing scientific insights and resulting in serious consequences
for the industry. In this regard, we welcome Commission’s proposal to use the upper part of Fmsy
range when it is necessary to limit TAC variations between consecutive years. However, we would
suggest reducing Central herring TAC by not more than 20 %, as foreseen in Article 4(4) (c) of the
Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan.
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4.
Sprat (Union waters of Subdivisions 22-32)
We treat the TACs for pelagic stocks as a package, as both sprat and herring are usually caught in
the mixed fishery. As was stated in ICES advice, the spawning-stock biomass (SSB) of sprat is well
above MSY Btrigger and fishing mortality (F) has declined in the recent years. Therefore, taking into
account mixed fishery, we suggest to apply Article 4(4) (a) of the Baltic Sea multiannual plan
(upper part of Fmsy range) and increase TAC for sprat by 6,7%.
We are looking forward to further discussions on this Proposal as well as a balanced agreement on
the fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2019.
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