A maximum catch quota will also be set to ensure the conservation of the species. In addition, a Register of Professional Elver Fishermen (REPROAN) is being established, in which all issued permits are collected per season, with a maximum of 150.
The Basque government approved on Tuesday the decree that the professional glass eel fishing in the Basque Autonomous Community (CAV), with restrictions, to ensure sustainable exploitation of the species.
In concrete terms, we are committed to so-called sentinel fishing, i.e. settlement very limited and controlled catchesthe close monitoring and evaluation of fishing and control of catches with the participation of the fishing community.
From the publication of this decision, commercial fishing for glass eel may only be carried out after obtaining a license (with a maximum of 150) which is awarded for one season and is unique in the entire CAV. The Basque government has limited the number to 150 professional licenses, of which 138 are on land and 12 are on boat.
It also creates the Register of professional fishermen (REPROAN) which collects all permits issued per season, the identity of the holders, the details of the boats if applicable, and the basins where fishing takes place.
The glass eel fishing season It will be established annually in accordance with scientific and technical criteria, and in coordination with the rest of the autonomous communities of the Cantabrian coast. There will also be one maximum catch quotawhich can be updated throughout the period.
The CAV contains: basins for eel fishing: Artibai, Bakio, Butroe, Deba, Las Arenas – La Peña, Abra – Las Arenas, Lea, Oka, Oria and Urola.
The new decree allows fishing for elvers from land, with the fishing gear called “baia” or “sieve” – with one fishing gear per fisherman – or from a boat – with a maximum of two fishing gears or sieves – regardless of whether they are one or two people who are concerned with the activity on board the boat.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
