European ministers have reached an agreement on fishing quotas for 2025. Quotas for sole, an important fish for Flemish fishermen, are increased by 169 per cent in the North Sea but reduced in other areas, Belga News Agency reports.
The quotas are set by ministers from the 27 EU member states every year in December. They act on a proposal from the European Commission, which takes into account several scientific opinions.
Soles account for almost half of the value created by the fishing industry in Flanders, so the significant increase in the quota for soles in the North Sea is important. Quotas for plaice, turbot, whiting and monkfish have also been increased. Quotas for cod and lemon sole have been reduced, while the stingray quota remains unchanged.
“Given the declines in catch quotas for sole in western waters, this agreement represents a major challenge for our fishermen.”
In the North Sea, Flemish fishermen will be able to catch 454 tonnes more sole next year. But such large fluctuations – this year’s drop was 60 per cent – threaten the stability of the industry, Flemish minister Hilde Crevits of Christian democrats CD&V, said.
She is calling for an urgent review of the overall fisheries policy to eliminate fluctuations in scientific advice. She also wants better advice based on more recent data on fish stocks and catches.
Belgium shares almost all of its stocks with the UK after Brexit, but the current EU-UK fisheries agreement expires in 2026. “Given the reduction of sole fishing quotas in western waters, this agreement represents a major challenge for our fishermen,” Crevits said.
Meanwhile, Flanders is investing in improving its fishing relationship with Norway.
