The government has decided to relax the rules governing anchovy fishing in the Bay of Biscay. A decree published in the Official Journal on May 30th modifies the procedures for managing professional fishing permits in FAO zone 27 to take into account the increased fishing opportunities granted to France for this stock.
The text concerns vessels holding the national fishing authorization (ANP) "trawl – occasional catch". Previously subject to stricter regulations, occasional catches of anchovies in ICES area VIII may now reach up to 50 tonnes per year per vessel, within the limits of available quotas.
A measure favorable to the fishing industry
The Ministry for Ecological Transition explains this change by the improved state of the stock and the increase in quotas allocated to France. The objective is to allow professionals to better monetize their activities while maintaining a management framework compatible with the requirements of the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy.
The decree specifies, however, that this volume of 50 tonnes does not constitute a guaranteed allocation but a catch limit. This limit may be revised in the future depending on the anchovy quotas granted to France each year.
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