PelAC has urged the European Commission to ensure that a comprehensive agreement is reached on coastal states quotas of NEA mackerel
The Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) has issued an urgent appeal to the European Commission, expressing deep concerns over the recently reached partial agreement on Northeast Atlantic mackerel quotas between the UK, Norway, and the Faroe Islands.
The letter, addressed to Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director General of the Directorate General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, underscores the potential risks associated with this agreement and calls for a more sustainable and comprehensive sharing arrangement among all Coastal States.
The PelAC highlights its support for the European Commission’s efforts to establish a rational and fair sharing arrangement for the Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock. However, the council criticises the current partial agreement, warning that it may encourage excessive unilateral quotas that exceed the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) recommended by scientific advice for 2024.
Concerns Over Sustainability and Overfishing
The PelAC’s letter details serious concerns about the impact of these inflated unilateral quotas on the sustainability of the mackerel stock. The council warns that such practices contravene the principles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 Straddling Stocks Agreement, potentially qualifying as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
According to the PelAC, the partial agreement rewards previous overfishing by legitimising inflated quotas that deviate significantly from the shares established under the last comprehensive sharing arrangement. This, the council argues, could lead to continued overfishing, threatening the future sustainability of the mackerel stock.
Call for Decisive Action
In its plea, the PelAC urges all Coastal States to resume negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable sharing agreement. The council emphasises the need for an arrangement that genuinely reflects sustainable fishing practices and the long-term interests of all parties involved.
The letter also calls on the European Commission and the Council of the EU to take decisive action against the irresponsible behaviour of setting excessive quotas. The PelAC suggests leveraging market powers and other instruments at the Commission’s disposal to enforce compliance with sustainable fishing practices.
The Pelagic Advisory Council’s appeal highlights the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent further damage to the mackerel stock and ensure its long-term viability for all Coastal States involved.
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. The new FV Quantus designed by Salt Ship Design will be fitted with the Brunvoll Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster. Illustration by Salt Ship Design
Brunvoll with Yet Another Fishing Vessel Contract
Brunvoll has recently signed contract with Westcon Yards for the delivery of a wide array of products to the new fishing vessel for owner M.V. Quantus Limited and Peter & J. Johnstone Limited, based in Peterhead, UK.
Included is the Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster, on its way to become an industry standard for fishing vessels. The vessel is designed by Salt Ship Design and will be delivered from the yard by the end of 2025.
The Brunvoll delivery for Quantus will consist of main propulsion and gear, the BruCon Propulsion and Thruster Control (PTC) system, an aft tunnel thruster, and a Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster in the bow.
The main features of the Combi thruster are to act as tunnel thruster in upper position, and as azimuth manoeuvring and propulsion unit when lowered. The Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster can provide value in various operations from added manoeuvring capability at port, to providing extra thrust and increased manoeuvrability in fishing operations by keeping the vessel on course in conditions which would else cause drift-off. The Combi thruster will also reduce fuel consumption by avoiding inefficient use of the rudder and main propulsion. The Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster has reportedly been used to bring the vessel and crew safely to port in cases where other vital systems have been out of operation.
Brunvoll’s Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster, becoming an industry standard for fishing vessels. Illustration by Brunvoll
Another reason for installing a Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster is as a propulsion unit further away from the fishing gear during hauling or pumping, helps to avoid damage and disruption. Further, using the Retractable Azimuth Combi during pumping operation at stern can allow for completely stopping the main propeller and avoid trawl rotation in the flow out from the propeller, often called propeller wake.
The customers M.V. Quantus Limited and Peter & J. Johnstone Limited have also earlier installed Brunvoll thrusters for their fishing vessels. This time they are placing their trust in Brunvoll to provide an even broader range of products and systems for their new asset. The Quantus will be a pelagic trawler, built for low emissions, safe workdays, and high fish quality operating out of Peterhead (UK), which is one of Europe’s largest white-fish ports.