Council of the
European Union
Brussels, 29 October 2018
(OR. fr, en)
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Interinstitutional File:
2018/0347 (NLE)
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NOTE
From:
General Secretariat of the Council
To:
Delegations
Subject:
Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2019 and 2020 the
fishing opportunities for Union fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish
stocks
Delegations will find attached written comments by the French delegation on the above-mentioned
document.
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Subject: Proposal for a Regulation fixing for 2019 and 2020 the fishing opportunities for Union
fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks - Comments by France
France thanks the Commission for its proposal for a Regulation, and the Presidency for organising
the proceedings of the Working Party on Fisheries.
The scientific advice for the period 2019-2020 published on 7 June 2018 indicates a positive
situation for several stocks resulting from the efforts undertaken by those working in the sector in
recent years.
Given the limited amount of data on deep-sea stocks, we would first stress that the declining catches
in recent years in line with the lower TACs are inevitably restricting even further the data available
for stock assessments. However, it would be paradoxical if that trend were to lead to the adoption of
further TAC reductions through the application of the precautionary approach when the reduced
fishing pressure is already having a positive effect on those stocks.
Any generalisation of the landing obligation has particular consequences for fisheries catching
deep-sea species as such species are often fished unavoidably as by-catches by French fishing
vessels.
We therefore wish to thank the Commission for its proposal to abolish the TAC for greater
forkbeard. Such a change is permitted by the ICES advice and is in line with the actual situation
observed by French fishermen, and in particular artisanal fisherfolk, who catch this species
unintentionally.
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Similarly, we support the Commission's most recent proposal concerning deep-sea sharks. That
proposal provides for a ban on fishing, retaining on board and landing such species where they
originate in ICES subareas 5 to 9, 10 and 12 (Azores Grounds and North of Azores) and in the
CECAF areas, except for and within the limits of the TACs allocated for unavoidable catches in
connection with directed longline fishing for black scabbardfish. Such a proposal effectively
addresses the absence of TACs for those species.
Regarding those stocks which are of economic significance for French fisheries, the French
authorities wish to make the following comments.
1/ Red seabream in subareas 6, 7 et 8
Red seabream is a category 6 stock. ICES estimates that the biomass is below possible reference
points and recommends that a zero TAC be set for 2019 and 2020 in ICES subareas 6, 7 and 8
(North Western Waters and Bay of Biscay).
The TAC for this stock has fallen significantly in recent years, from 169 tonnes in 2015 to
130 tonnes in 2018. Moreover, the previous Regulation fixing the fishing opportunities for deep-sea
species has prohibited directed fishing of this stock since 2017.
The Commission proposes more heavy cuts in 2019 (104 tonnes) and 2020 (83 tonnes).
France shares the Commission's ambition to reduce by-catches. However, the proposed reductions
would create a 'choke' situation for the 120 or so French fishing vessels operating in those areas.
France has a very small quota (5 tonnes in 2018), and relies on exchanges to cover these by-catches.
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While the individual catches are usually very small, such exchanges with other Member States with
larger quotas are absolutely essential in order to cover such unavoidable and unforeseeable
by-catches of red seabream (16.5 tonnes caught in 2017).
Moreover, a few very small artisanal vessels depend on by-catches of this high added-value product
for their turnover: around ten artisanal fisherfolk in the Bay of Biscay have dependency rates of
between 5 and 10 % in value, while 20 or so hook-and-line fishermen in the Celtic Sea have a
dependency rate of 10 %. This corresponds to fishing trips in which red seabream may represent a
significant and unforeseeable proportion of catches. The risk of a 'choke effect' is therefore real and
particularly sensitive.
France would like to alert the Commission to the particular challenge represented by those
fishermen given the fact that they are already affected by the limits imposed on catches of sea bass.
Finally, the PANDORA study launched in May 2018 will soon enable an abundance index to be
established for that stock off the Breton coastline.
Under those circumstances, we cannot support the heavy cuts proposed by the Commission. As
indicated at the meeting of the Working Party on Fisheries on 26 October and as proposed by the
Commission, we will work together with the Member States concerned to propose that a limit be
placed on that reduction.
2/ Black scabbardfish in subareas 5, 6, 7 and 12
We thank the Commission for its explanations concerning the method used by it to draw up this
proposal, whereby the European Union/third countries distribution key is maintained and the
precautionary approach applied.
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However, ICES' most recent advice indicates that the estimated fishing mortality rate remains very
low. In fact, fishing pressure on this stock has fallen significantly since 2005 and has been
stabilising in recent years at a level compatible with sustainable management of the stock; the
biomass is growing steadily, in particular as regards the northern component of the stock (West of
Scotland). There is therefore no reason to reduce the TAC in 2019 and 2020. We request that the
TAC in subareas 5, 6, 7 and 12, which is the subject of directed fishing, be stabilised at the 2018
level, that is to say 2 600 tonnes.
3/ Roundnose grenadier in subareas 5b, 6 and 7
ICES is simply reiterating its previous advice, that is to say 3 971 tonnes for subareas 5b, 6, 7
and 12b. We take the view that the stability of that advice justifies the stability of the TAC for
subareas 5b, 6 and 7.
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