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Post by KAYAK07 on Apr 21, 2009 19:00:58 GMT 1
Commercial fishermen within the NWWRAC (North Western Waters Regional Advisory Committee) wrote to the EU to try and have the 5% spurdog bycatch rules changed allowing them to catch more of the species. Fortunately the Commission has declined this request with a distinct change of language which should be welcomed as it now appears they are taking on board others views by stating "I understand that there is a strong divergence of opinion within the RAC between the catching sector and the other sectors." This understanding looks good for further shark protection measures proposed for EU shark community plan of action (CPOA) which is due later this year. The commission also used the ICES advice as a reason for not having a change of heart The letter to the RAC finally concluded ….”In the meantime however the 5% by-catch is the main management measure that will discourage fishers from targeting spurdog aggregations, given that effort reductions have been less than originally anticipated. The 5% by-catch limit is clearly a necessary incentive” This can only be described as a victory for common sense. To see the SSACN and SOS responses to the CPOA see tinyurl.com/5bq7fq and tinyurl.com/6odlyp
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