From 01 July 2024, Belgian fishermen will be allowed to quadruple their sole catches in the Irish Sea thanks to EU negotiations with the UK. Photo: CJ Gaffney
Belgian fishing vessels will see a significant increase in their sole catch quotas in the Irish Sea starting from July, following a recent scientific report that revealed higher-than-expected sole stocks.
The new quota, set at 281 tonnes, is over four times the initial limit of 62 tonnes set in December.
The substantial increase comes after Flemish fisheries minister Hilde Crevits successfully petitioned the European Commission to negotiate revised quotas with the UK. The decision marks a considerable shift from the initial quota set during the annual European-level negotiations.
“This demonstrates the critical importance of collaboration among fishers, scientists, and research institutes to accurately monitor fish stocks and adjust catch limits based on the most current data,” said Crevits. She also called for a transition to multi-year quota plans to provide fishers with greater certainty and stability.
Outgoing AGRIFISH Council Chair and Belgian Fisheries Minister shared a good relationship with Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius
Emiel Brouckaert, director of the association for sea fishery shipowners Rederscentrale, expressed relief at the new quotas. “This will ease the suffering for our fishers and allow them to remain somewhat profitable,” he said. “Sole is an important species for our fishers, providing 50 percent of their turnover.”
Data from Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, underscores the significance of sole in the Belgian fishing industry, where it remains the primary target species. Cuttlefish ranks second, contributing 13 percent to the industry’s turnover.