Fewer European fish in danger

European Commission reports decline in number of species at grave risk.

The number of fish species in European waters that have reached dangerously low levels has fallen since 2003, according to a report published today by the European Commission.
 
The report says that fishing should be stopped for 14 species in the North Atlantic this year because stocks are at dangerously low levels. In 2003 scientists recommended halting fishing of 23 species.

Similarly the number of stocks “outside safe biological limits” – meaning they are at risk but can still be fished – has declined from 30 in 2003 to 22 in 2010.

In the Mediterranean, just over half of 60 stocks assessed are overfished, while 42% are in a “good” state. However, data for many species was not available.

The report is based on advice from fisheries experts at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for fisheries (STECF).

Kenneth Patterson, an official in the Commission’s maritime affairs and fisheries department, said the figures showed “a distinct improvement” although “there is still a lot to be done”. The North Sea is “a relatively responsible area” and the Mediterranean “is not more overfished than anywhere else”, he said.

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The figures were published as part of a report to start discussions on fishing quotas in 2011. The Commission wants to get the EU on track to meet a United Nations target that stocks should be fished in a sustainable way by 2015.

Uta Bellion at the Pew Environment Group said that the report fell “far short” of meeting that commitment. “The overall trend has been to acquiesce to short-term interests and set TACs [total allowable catches] at levels that contribute to overfishing.”