|
Anchovy captures. (Photo: Anfaco)
Scientists recommend fishing 20,700 tonnes of anchovy
SPAIN
Monday, July 16, 2012, 01:30 (GMT + 9)
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommended the capture of 20,700 tonnes of this small pelagic, divided between French and Spanish fleets, for the next anchovy fishing season in the Bay of Biscay.
For this year’s season, the total allowable catch (TAC) was set at 29,000 tonnes. Out of that total, 80 per cent corresponded to vessels from Spain.
However, the fishermen of anchovy from Biscay were disappointed because their real catches in 2012 stood at 6,660 tonnes.
ICES emphasized that catches in 2013 should not exceed 28,000 tonnes, La Opinion reported.
This international entity published a report on the anchovy from the Bay of Biscay that is consistent with reports released this week by the Basque Government and the Technology Centre of Marine and Food Research (AZTI-Tecnalia).
According to the Deputy Minister of Fisheries of the Basque Country, Jon Azkue, the anchovy biomass is around 70,000 tonnes.
Given that figure, it is expected that between July 2012 and June 2013 between 20,000 and 23,000 tonnes may be caught, which is "very good news," the official informed.
These interim results were presented by Azkue in San Sebastian with the director general of AZTI-Tecnalia, Rogelio Pozo.
The biomass estimate was performed with the results of the scientific survey BIOMAN 2012, based on the method of daily egg production and carried out by AZTI-Tecnalia. Interim analyses conducted by ICES, which incorporate the acoustic PELGAS 2012 survey undertaken by the Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) in France were also used, the agency Europa Press reported.
Pozo recalled that BIOMAN 2012 survey was developed in May 2012 and involved the conduction of various studies and samplings throughout the anchovy spawning area.
That contributed to the estimate of "the total egg abundance and of the biomass of the species in the Bay of Biscay area," he added.
Brussels will formally propose the anchovy quota of the 2013 season later this week.
Related article:
- Anchovy daily quota fixed
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  ANFACO-CECOPESCA - Asociacion Nacional de Fabricantes de Conservas de Pescados y Mariscos-
|
Print
