ICES Advice Zero Cod Catch

For the fifth year in a row, ICES are advising a zero catch of cod in the North Sea.

"Major cod stocks in northern areas such as the Barents Sea and around Iceland are large and productive (analyses given by ICES in May 2006, see http:www.ices.dk).

The total catches of the northern stocks yield about 850.000 t per year (2005).

In the more southern parts of the cod distribution area, a generally poor stock status prevails and fishing mortality is still high despite the lower catches.

Although there are slight differences in the actual condition of those southern stocks, ICES is advising for all southern cod stocks (with the exception of cod in the western Baltic) that there should be no catch in 2007."

Advice is also given for other stocks:

ICES Press Release

ICES Advice (Available after 20th October)

But as always, fishermen will battle for as much quota as possible, despite ICES advice, and press politicians to put the needs of the fishing industry first.

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