The Council of Fisheries Ministers of the European Union approved a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay of 29,700 tons, 90 per cent of which belong to Spain (26,730 tons).
The fishery for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay is of great importance for Spain. In this regard, the TAC approved almost double the previous one, located at 15,600 tons.
This TAC is, according to the Minister for Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Rosa Aguilar, "excellent news for the Spanish fishing sector" helping "to strengthen and consolidate the future of this fishery."
The Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine has made in recent years, a tremendous effort to improve knowledge of this species throughout the campaign BIOM and contribute thus to the sustainability of this fishery and maintenance of jobs dependent on it in coastal areas.
The result of this work, with financial and technical cooperation of the Government of the Basque Country and the Institute AZTI-Tecnalia, scientific studies confirm that, today, the stock of anchovy in the Bay of Biscay in an excellent state of health .This has been reflected in tha latest report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Scientific research has found a steady increase in biomass following the closure of the fishery between 2006 and 2010, which in 2011 reached higher historical values.
Anchovy Catch Quota Increased
SPAIN - Thanks to the efforts of the Marmara, Spain will now have a catch quota of 26,730 tonnes of anchovy from the month of July 2011, for the Bay of Biscay.
