Minister Agrees with Anchovy Fishery Closure

This was announced by Mr Arias Caete, following a meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry, representatives of the fishing industry and the Junta de Andaluca to address the status of stocks of anchovy, lobster and monkfish in the area, and to analyse the decisions to be taken for responsible fisheries management.

The sector had already exceeded the anchovy quota, so it was necessary to take measures to avoid compromising the stock status and no additional penalties next year.

The lobster and monkfish fisheries have been closed since 1 August.

The main problem for the management of fisheries in the Gulf of Cadiz during 2012 has been the deduction of fees, as a result of overfishing of this species made in 2011. In this situation, the Ministry of Agriculture has been working to avoid the mistakes of the past and promote, together with the sector, better management of the fishery. These improvements are already being discussed in the working groups of national fishery, with the participation of the Government of Andalusia and the sector. In this sense, be a new Working Group meeting in Seville during the first week of October.

The main fisheries management in the Gulf of Cdiz (trawling and seining) is being carried out in 2012 with the spirit of transparency and cooperation with the industry and on the basis of regulations approved in 2011. As evidence of this, so far this year there have already been four meetings with the sector (one with the Secretary General, the other with the Director General at Cadiz, and two more with the national fishery ADG).

After today's meeting, Mr Arias Caete has indicated the need to improve management through working groups, and has committed to work with the sector and the Government of Andalusia in search of solutions to the continuity and sustainability of fisheries in the Gulf of Cadiz, on the basis of the best scientific advice available.

Moreover, Mr Arias Caete has expressed the commitment of the Government to request a quota increase at the community level, "for what is going to launch the preparation of scientific reports that reveal what is the real situation of stocks, anchovy, lobster or monkfish, in the Gulf of Cadiz."