In a note, the ministry stated that the decision on this increase in cod stocks compared to Total Previous Allowable Catch (TAC) was taken at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), which took place between Monday and Friday, in Palácio da Bolsa, in Porto.
According to the ministry, a 2023 NAFO Scientific Council report advised the establishment of a TAC of 5,791 tons of cod ‘stock’ in the 3M area.
However, during the negotiations, “Portugal considered that there was scope, in light of the scientific advice given, to be able to go a little further with regard to fishing opportunities.”
He stressed that “the Portuguese position was supported by Spain in coordination with the European Commission and defended it in a plenary session. The negotiations resulted in an increase of 52.5% compared to the previous Portuguese position (309 tons)”.
The government also added that in the coming year there will still be opportunities to catch redfish in Section 3O (5,229 tons), a 5% decrease in saw palmetto catch compared to 2022 and the closure of the shrimp fishery in Area 3M.
NAFO is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) that manages high seas fisheries resources in an area adjacent to Canada’s exclusive economic zone, consisting of 13 contracting parties: Canada, Cuba, Denmark (representing the Faroe Islands and Greenland), the United States of America, the Russian Federation, France (representing Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), Iceland, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine, and the European Union.
The annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization was attended by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Teresa Coelho, representing the Portuguese government.
RCS // CSJ
Lusa / end
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