Spain continues to demand reductions in haddock and sole and warns that there is still much to negotiate

During the EU Fisheries Ministers meeting in Brussels, Spain advocated for reduced cuts to haddock and sole catches in the Atlantic, and a fair balance between effort reductions and compensation days for the Mediterranean fleet. The European Commission's proposal for Total Allowable Catches (TAC) and quotas for 2023 includes significant reductions for various species. Spain is particularly concerned with the TAC for horse mackerel, seeking to prevent quarterly programming and maintain fishing activity. They also seek a more equitable balance in the Mediterranean between fishing day reductions and compensation days for boats using selective nets. Negotiations are progressing with the UK, but not as smoothly with Norway, potentially leading to quarterly quotas. Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food emphasizes that many issues, including the proposed eel fishing closure schedule and the balance of reductions and compensation in the Mediterranean, still require extensive negotiations.