VITORIA, 13 (EUROPA PRESS)

The Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment, Arantza Tapia, has pointed out that there is “good news” in the fishing agreements reached in the EU and, as a more negative aspect, he cited the reduction in the mackerel quota although he has expressed satisfaction that it has not been “brought to zero”, so “less bad than expected”.

In a press conference after the Government Council, Tapia referred to the agreement reached by the European Union (EU) Ministers of Fisheries for the Total Permitted Catch (TAC) and quotas for 2023.

The counselor has indicated that “many aspects” are being considered and the “initial position” has been changed on an issue that, as he has determined, “deeply worries” the Basque Government, namely quotas on mackerel (mackerel).

He said, of the tons that have been determined, it is estimated that around 900 tons can touch it, according to the resulting distribution. “It’s important that they don’t get empty and fishing isn’t banned as planned.”

On the other hand, regarding the bonito, he described the possibility of licensing for the first time in British waters as “good news” because “until now there has been no such possibility.” “And of course, our ship is an area where they usually are and that can also be good news, we will see if this situation can definitely occur and how it is defined, but it is not bad news,” he added.

“I’M WELL”

Regarding the general agreement in the UK, Arantza Tapia explained that the Ondarroa trawling fleet was in the waters where they are normally located and, therefore, it was “good news”.

With regard to the eel fishery, he noted that the professional fishery was “severely” restricted, which does not exist in the Basque Country, and for recreation, which would affect the Basque Country, had been closed.

On the other hand, he emphasized that mackerel quotas have increased and, when distributed, Basque arrantzales will have “greater possibilities of fishing”.

In summary, he stressed that, in the “bad news” brought about by the reduction in the mackerel quota, he had highlighted that it “has not been brought to zero” and the deal was “less bad than expected” and there was “a series of good news in the deals reached.” ”.