The acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, met with the president of Cepesca (Spanish Fisheries Confederation), Amador Suárez, and its general secretary, Javier Garat, to address issues of interest to the sector fishing, as the possibility of a Brexit without agreement.
The minister assured that his Department works intensely in the preparation of all possible scenarios, so that they have the least possible impact.
The acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, with the president of Cepesca (Spanish Fisheries Confederation), Amador Suárez, and its general secretary, Javier Garat
In this regard, Planas said that Spain's position is that the TACs and quotas for next year reserve for the United Kingdom the quotas that currently correspond to it, by the principle of relative stability.
It will also be argued that, if the United Kingdom offers access to the EU fleet, it must be for the same vessels currently operating in its waters and on a reciprocal basis.
Likewise, Planas considers that the negotiation of TACs and quotas for 2020 will be special, since it is the first full implementation exercise of the landing obligation, the deadline to meet the objective of maximum sustainable yield is met, and it is conditioned by Brexit. Spain will attend these meetings with the best scientific data to defend its position in the EU.
During the meeting, the application in 2020 of the measures derived from the Demersal Recovery Plan in the Mediterranean was also discussed.
In this regard, the minister explained that Spain will defend the fleet reduction effort already made by the sector in recent years and a plan will be presented to achieve the planned objectives.
In addition, Planas explained that the General Secretariat of Fisheries is preparing a ministerial order to improve fisheries management, make better use of fishing opportunities and have the necessary tools to address the full application of the landing obligation.
Finally, the minister highlighted the work of the Government of Spain in the renewal and strengthening of fisheries agreements with different countries. For this, it has actively participated with the European Commission in negotiations with third countries, such as Morocco, Guinea Bissau or Mauritania. ■
Predominant upper-level ridging stretching from the Southwest to the southern High Plains will allow for another day of record-breaking heat across parts of Nevada and Arizona today.