08/06/2007

Call for total ban on North Sea cod fishing

Marine scientists have called for a total ban on cod fishing in the North Sea and also want massive cuts made in the catches of other fish.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) are due to release a full report outlining levels of fish stocks and what they believe fishing quotas should be.

In the North Sea, both whiting and herring have produced few young fish over the past five years.

Redfish fishing in the Norwegian and Barents Sea are rapidly expanding into international waters. Because the stock size of this long-lived fish is low and few young fish have been observed. ICES advises that there should be no directed trawl fishery and this should also apply to the international waters.

CES Chairman, Martin Pastoors, said: "Several saithe and haddock stocks are in good condition and can be the continued basis for sustainable fisheries. Other important stocks like cod, whiting and herring are suffering from reduced reproduction in recent years. This is seen in several areas, and will have to be reflected in the fisheries management."

(CD/SP)

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