Spain will see its mackerel quota cut over the next 11 years as a result of having exceeded its total allowable catch in 2009.
The European commission said Spain’s mackerel quota will be cut by 65,429 metric tons over the next 11 years, or by 2023, as a result of the overfishing.
The decision follows a “detailed investigation” into Spain’s true catch levels, said the commission.
“The commission had serious doubts about the true levels of mackerel fishing registered in Spain in 2009, following inconsistencies between the data collected regarding catches and the sales of mackerel,” it said.
The decision was adopted under the EU’s Fisheries Control Regulation.
“When overshooting happens, the damage done to the stocks must be repaired,” said the EU’s fisheries and maritime affairs commissioner, Maria Damanaki. “This should happen, whenever possible, without ruining fishermen, in particular those who complied with the rules.”
Beyond today’s decision, the commission said it is “cooperating closely” with the Spanish administration to put in place the mechanisms to prevent such overfishing from happening again.
Last July the EU and Spain agreed on an “action plan” to bolster control measures and catch registration in particular. This plan is now in its first phase of implementation.
Story courtesy of undercurrent news web site.