This annual exercise proposes the amount of fish which can be caught next year by EU fishermen from the main commercial fish stocks.
The proposal sets levels of total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing effort both for stocks managed exclusively by the EU, and for stocks managed with third countries such as Norway or through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations across the world's oceans.
As international negotiations for many of the stocks concerned are still on-going, the will be completed once negotiations with third parties and organisations have taken place.
For the stocks not shared with third countries, the Commission proposes to increase or maintain the TACs for 36 stocks, and reduce them for 36 stocks, in line with the scientific advice.
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki stated on this occasion: "The Commission proposal contains good news for some stocks, while some cuts are required for others. Overall, our knowledge of many stocks has improved which enables sound management decisions to be made. For stocks where negotiations are on-going we will, as ever, make every effort to obtain the best outcome for our fishermen. We hope that our partners and the international community will mirror our commitment to sustainable fisheries."
The present proposal shall be discussed by the Member States' ministers at the December Fisheries Council and will apply from 1 January 2014.
