Sardine catch. (Photo: Stock File)

Portuguese fishermen restart sardine fishing, with restrictions

PORTUGAL
Tuesday, May 22, 2018, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

Portuguese fishermen can now resume sardine fishing, after the end of the closure period, on Monday. The sector will be able to catch up to 4,855 tonnes until July 31, subject to daily limits, measures to protect juveniles and monitor fishing.

The fishing possibilities after August 1 will depend on the analysis of the scientific data collected by the scientific surveys of Portugal and Spain carried out this spring," said the Ministry of Marine Affairs in statements to the Lusa agency.

Initially, the ban was scheduled until April 30, but Minister Ana Paula Vitorino opted to prolong it in order to ensure the recovery and good management of the stock.

"Softening the zero fishing scenario, defended in the opinion of the ICES [International Council for the Exploration of the Sea] in October 2017, and also the limit of 1,587 tonnes of fishing opportunities announced in 2015, the Government strengthened the scientific surveys and the actions aimed at recognition, articulating with Spain and the European Commission the measures to be taken and, in the context of the monitoring committee of sardine fishing, reinforced the participation of the various stakeholders in the management of this fishery," explained the Ministry of Marine Affairs in a note sent to Lusa.

According to the ministry, it is "essential to improve scientific knowledge to understand the reasons for reducing the abundance of resources and ensure their better management", which is why the Government is moving forward with the Sardine 2020 project, under the responsibility of the Portuguese Institute of Water and Atmosphere (IPMA), which has a budget of EUR 1.6 million.

In October last year, ICES scientists advised to ban the Atlantic sardine fishery in Portugal and Spain due to the strong reduction experienced by the stock during the last decade, which went from 106,000 tonnes in 2006 to 22 thousand tonnes in 2016.

In 2016, the same scientific body had recommended a complete stop of the sardine fishery in Portugal for a minimum period of 15 years so that the population of this pelagic could return to levels considered acceptable.

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