“The situation of small pelagic fish in the north-eastern Atlantic should be alarming for Portugal, as our fleet catches species such as horse mackerel, sardines and anchovies,” said Vera Coelho, as part of a report released today on the situation of forage species (on which larger fish feed). and other marine animals, such as birds and mammals).
The vice president of the marine conservation NGO also told LUSA that it must be ensured that fishing for these species is managed in a way that preserves the future of fishing communities and marine ecosystems.
For example, he noted, these species, which move in pelagic swarms, are needed to help recover other fish, such as cod and tuna, that depend on them for food.
According to a report released today, as part of negotiations in Brussels on fishing opportunities for 2024, only one in six forage fish populations in the North-East Atlantic, which includes Portugal’s fishing grounds, are sustainably exploited and find themselves in a healthy state.
Of the 32 forage fish populations that Oceana analysed, only 16% (five populations) were exploited “sustainably and in a healthy condition.”
Vera Coelho also highlighted the Oceana report, which highlights “the urgent need to adopt long-term sustainable management strategies across the region.” [do Atlântico Nordeste]“This requires the cooperation of all coastal countries in fishing for these species.”
The total allowable catch for 2024 is already under negotiation, and the European Commission is expected to put forward a proposal in November, which will be finalized by EU fisheries ministers in the Council on 11-12 December, for EU and international waters, in cooperation. With other countries, such as Norway, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
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