Crates with mackerel catches. (Photo: YouTube/Txema5)
SPAINTuesday, January 20, 2015, 03:20 (GMT + 9)
Bottom trawl vessels of Biscay and Northwest area are beginnig this week the mackerel fishing season in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama).
The fleet will have 26.3 per cent lower quota compared to that assigned in 2014, because of the fine imposed by the European Commission (EC) following the resource overfishing in 2009 and 2010.
The quota is 8470.5 tonnes, that is to say 28.3 per cent of the total allocated to Spain for all gears.
This volume represents a significant decline from the 11,483.05 tonnes North Cantabrian trawlers downloaded last year, EFE reported.
Magrama recalled that the quota assigned to all the Spanish mackarel fleet is 39,702 tonnes, to which 9,847 tonnes must be substracted "to meet the fine corresponding to 2015 for overfishing in 2010 and 2009".
The quota allocated to the Spanish fleet is part of the overall quota for the EU, totalling 519,512 tonnes, thanks to the agreement in force signed between the EU executive, the Faroe Islands and Norway.
The fleet of Aviles had criticized that agreement, as it understood that one of the largest commercial fisheries interest would be sacrificed at beginning of year in exchange for compensation to Faroe Islands and Norway, which do not benefit the affected fisheries.
Mackerel fishing will be opened later for the rest of the gears.