European Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak

The Commission published its proposal to set catch limits, or total allowable catches (TACs), for 18 fish stocks in the EU waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Kattegat and Skagerrak for 2024. 

The proposal is based on scientific advice and covers fish stocks managed solely by the EU in those sea basins.

For the first time, the Commission is proposing to set nine TACs for two to three years, known as ‘multiannual TACs‘, instead of re-evaluating them annually, based on advice from the scientists of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

Following ICES advice again, the Commission is proposing to set 12 TACs at MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield), i.e., the maximum amount of fish that fishers can take out of the sea without compromising the regeneration and future productivity of the stock. This would mean an increase in catch limits for five stocks: megrims, anglerfish, hake, horse mackerel in Iberian waters and plaice in Kattegat.

Increased allowable catch in line with scientific advice

For plaice in the Kattegat, the Commission proposes an increase of 19%. For hake in the southern Bay of Biscay, Iberian waters and waters around the Azores, the proposal is for an increase of 10%, in accordance with the Western Waters Multi-Annual Plan. For megrims and anglerfish in the Iberian waters, the Commission proposes an increase by +11% and +7% respectively.

More predictability thanks to multiannual decisions

Nine TACs have been proposed for two or three years ahead, instead of on a yearly basis, with a reduction to ensure sustainable catches in the long term. The stocks concerned are those of plaice (West of Ireland), whiting and pollack (Bay of Biscay), plaice (Iberian Waters), Norway lobster (Bay of Biscay – FU25), sole (Irish waters), and sole (Iberian waters).

Continued measures to safeguard eels

In 2023, ICES reiterated that the status of the stock remains critical and there should be zero catches of eel in all habitats and at all life stages. Pending the new ICES advice for 2024, expected in November, the Commission proposes to maintain the existing measures for the protection of eels in all relevant EU waters, specifically in the Atlantic, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. The closure in the north-east Atlantic should cover the main migration period of the respective life stage. In the Skagerrak-Kattegat and Baltic Sea, the closure periods should be agreed between the Member States concerned so as to ensure the protection of eel migrating out of the Baltic Sea into the North Sea. As for the Mediterranean Sea, the proposal might be updated after the 2023 annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to take into account possible additional measures for the Mediterranean adopted at that meeting.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Ministers discuss fishing opportunities for 2024

Jointly managed stocks and further scientific advice

This proposal will be updated after the conclusion of the ongoing consultations with Norway and the United Kingdom, and with the decisions taken in various regional fisheries management organisations.

Another five stocks, managed solely by the EU, are still awaiting scientific advice (anchovy in the Bay of Biscay, three stocks of Norway lobster, cod in the Kattegat), while the TAC for anchovy in the Iberian waters and waters around the Azores has already been set until June 2024.

Figures for the TACs for which scientific advice is not yet available or for which consultations with non-EU countries are ongoing are currently marked in the proposal as ‘pm’ or pro memoria. These figures will be included in the proposal when the advice becomes available or the consultations are concluded, through so-called ‘non-papers’ and will be published by the Commission.

See tables below for details of today’s proposal for stocks solely managed by the EU.

Next steps

The Council will discuss the Commission’s proposal on 11 and 12 December and establish the allocation of fishing opportunities for 2024, and in some cases for 2025 and 2026. The regulation should apply as of 1 January 2024.

More information: European Commission