BarentsNews.com

On October 17th, the Murmansk regional administration planned to hold another meeting of the Fishery Council. However, in view of new regulations that came recently from the State Fishery Committee, it was decided to postpone the meeting.

One of the main issues to be discussed as the Council gathers next time is the start of the so-called Olympic fishing for cod and haddock in Russian Exclusive Economical Zone.

In early August this year, the Russian government passed a new resolution granting the exclusive right for cod and haddock fishing within the Russian EEZ to the small-sized fleet.

At first, companies involved in coastal fishery were unspeakably happy with such a turn of events. However, it soon became clear that costal fishing vessels are unable to take fully the given quotas. According to chairman of Murmansk region’s

Association of Coastal Fishery Mikhail Gotovchits, the cod and haddock quotas have been utilized to date by only 62 % and 69% respectively.

Therefore, if the quotas remain undertaken, there is a risk for Murmansk region that its total allowable catch for 2003 will be set at a lower level next year.

That actually makes local fishermen come up with a proposal of starting the Olympic fishing for cod and haddock. Most probably, this proposal will be approved at the next meeting of the Fishery Council, and fishing will begin on November 1st.