Report | June 11, 2015

Oceana Recommendation on Deep-Sea Fishing Opportunities for 2015-2016

In advance of the Fisheries Council meeting of 10‐11 November, in which fishing opportunities will be decided for deep‐sea species, Oceana would like to provide Fisheries Ministers with constructive recommendations on how total allowable catches (TACs) should be set. In order to achieve the commitments of the Common Fisheries Policy, it is essential that fisheries opportunities be fixed following the scientific advice, when available, and adhering to the precautionary and ecosystem approaches.

The extreme biological characteristics of most deep‐sea species make them the fish resources and ecosystems that are the poorest adapted to sustained fishing pressure, since their population productivity and recovery capacity are very limited. As a result of serious deficiencies in the management and knowledge of deep‐sea fish stocks, currently only one out of 24 managed species contains a stock that is considered to be in “good condition”. The status of most managed species is unknown or raises concerns about depletion, putting the viability of the fishery and the resources at serious risk.

Oceana urges the Council to set fishing opportunities according to the following guidelines:

  • Fishing opportunities should not exceed scientifically advised levels.
  • Fishing opportunities should be fixed with explicit consideration of catch composition  and impacts on habitats.
  • Fishing opportunities should not be allocated for most vulnerable deep‐sea species, like orange roughy and deep‐sea shark