On a European level, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) per threatened fish species is determined per year. That is the total amount of fish which a European fisherman is allowed to catch. Per country, how much of the TAC each country is allowed to fish is then agreed upon, the so-called catch quota. Europe will probably switch to a new manner of dividing quota in 2007. The EC members each set up regulations for applying and controlling their allowable amounts. Catch quota can be traded among the countries.
There is a lot of criticism of the fishery rules, from the fishermen as well. Fish species do not swim separately in sea in the desired quota. For example, fishing sole often means catching undesired cod which as well which exceeds the allowed amount. This extra cod is either thrown dead back into the sea or traded on board. In addition, due to pressure from the fishermen and related interest groups, the quota are often established higher than is healthy for the fish population. Furthermore, establishing fish quota is not intended as an environmental regulation but for assuring fish for the fisheries on the long term. Policy is directed at a limited number of fish species and not on the North Sea ecosystem as a whole. And in reality, the EC fishery rules have been violated on a large scale for years.
Up till now, the advice for the TACs which fishery biologists give to the European Commission are based upon what they determine to be the fish stock. However, the fishermen come up with very different figures for the amount of fish swimming around. They feel that they should be consulted more by the biologists. Therefore since 2007, fishermen regularly travel with research vessels.
