Baltic Sea 2015 fishing opportunities
Political agreement will be sought on the Commission's 3 September proposal for fixing fishing opportunities for the main commercial fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2015.
This is the first proposal for fishing opportunities since the entry into force of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and is thus based on the best available scientific advice and follows the Communication on Fishing Opportunities published in June.
EU/Norway: Annual consultations for 2015
Ministers will exchange views on the upcoming consultations on the fisheries arrangements between the EU and Norway for 2015.
The first round of consultations is scheduled to take place in Bergen, Norway in the week of 17 November. The Council will be invited to comment on the approach to be taken by the EU on the jointly managed shared stocks in the North Sea and Skagerrak (cod, haddock, saithe, whiting, plaice, herring, mackerel, shrimp, sprat).
Ministers will also discuss the approach to discussions on quota exchanges and reciprocal access to each other's waters.
ICCAT Annual meeting
Ministers will exchange views ahead of the Annual Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to be held in Genova, Italy, from 10 to 17 November.
The most important decisions that ICCAT will have to take this year on the management of stocks concern Eastern and Western Bluefin tuna, Mediterranean swordfish and skipjack tuna. The Commission will suggest that the EU should follow scientific advice in all ICCAT discussions as per the principles of the new Common Fisheries Policy.
