Biomass of anchovies 3.000 tons higher than last year

2009/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia
• Arrantza

According to the results obtained in the scientific campaign BIOMAN-2009 carried out by AZTI-Tecnalia, anchovy biomass in the Gulf of Bizkaia amounts to 28,000 tons, 3,000 tons more than in 2008.

In May, the scientific campaign has been carried out and the daily production of eggs has been analysed. They cover the entire laying area of the anchovy, which has allowed to evaluate the total amount of eggs deposited in the anchovy in the entire distribution area of the laying population.

The Basque Government Deputy Fisheries Development Minister, Jon Azkue, stressed that anchovy biomass has gone from 9,700 tons in 2005 to 28,000 tons in 2009. However, it indicates that at this time the stock of anchovy is too low to reopen the fishing of anchovy, with a European minimum value of 33,000 tons.

However, it is possible that the anchovy cove can be opened and that it can fish according to a management plan, for which the anchovy biomass must be at least 24,000 tons. It will be decided in Brussels on 30 June at the Council of Europe.