EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 17.3.2009 
SEC(2009) 301 
  
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 
 
on the proposal establishing a long-term plan fo r the northern stock of hake and the fisheries 
exploiting that stock 
  
COM(2009)122 final 
SEC(2009) 300 
 
EN 2   EN COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 
 
on the proposal establishing a long-term plan fo r the northern stock of hake and the fisheries 
exploiting that stock 
The Impact Assessment concerns a draft propo sal for a Regulation that would replace the 
current recovery plan and set long-term ma nagement objectives and implementing methods 
concerning a fishery for the northern hake. 
The scope of the proposal covers the stock of nor thern hake distributed mainly to the west and 
south of Ireland, in the western Channel and in the Bay of Biscay and the fisheries exploiting 
that stock. 
In 2004, a recovery plan for the northern hake stock (E C Reg. No 811/2004) followed up a 
previous emergency plan (EC Reg. No 1162/ 2001, EC Reg. No 2602/2001 and EC Reg. No 
494/2002). The recovery plan aimed at achie ving a stock spawning biomass (SSB) of 
140,000t (precautionary biomass level B pa), by limiting the proportion of hake removed from 
the stock  by fishing (fishing mortality, F) to 0.25, and with a maximum change in TAC 
between consecutive years of 15%. The objectiv e of a recovery plan was to achieve an 
increase in the quantities of hake stock threatened with co llapse to a minimum safe level 
according to the precautionary approach. 
According to the current Regulation, the rec overy plan should be replaced by a management 
plan when, in two consecutive years, the targ et size level for the stock has been reached. 
ICES, with the agreement of STECF, should advise  when the targets set in the recovery plan 
have been reached. 
Recent scientific assessments by ICES and STECF indicate that th e objective of the recovery 
plan has been achieved. The recovery plan should therefore be replaced by a management 
plan to ensure high yields and su stainable exploitation of the stock. 
This report assesses the options available to th e Community to provide effective management 
for the stock of northern hake. It  analyses the following options:  
Option 1: no policy change 
Retaining the management based on the fishing mo rtality as set in the current recovery plan 
has been considered. The option implies continuing to fish at the precautionary level of fishing mortality (F
pa) of 0.25. 
This option was assessed as having a negative impact on the northern hake by retaining 
fishing at the rate which is too high for the stock and produces high discarding rates, 
particularly of juvenile hake. It also imp lies abandonment of responsibilities falling upon the 
EU under the Common Fisheries Policy to limit fi shing to sustainable levels in order to 
restore and maintain stocks to levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield, which 
in turn would benefit both the fishery and industry.  
Option 2: management plan 
This option is based on the approach based on maximum sustainable yield (MSY). It provides 
for gradual adjustments in fish ing mortality to let the stock rebuild towards MSY levels. 
Several scenario alternatives of  the plan have been tested. 
 
EN 3   EN This option was assessed as having low negativ e economic and social impacts on the northern 
hake fleet in the short-term but benefiting the se ctor in the long-term. It was also assessed that 
this option would demonstrate a strong commitmen t by the EU to ensure sustainable fisheries 
resources. The option, however, would take too long to bring the necessary adjustments in the 
fleet capacity and improving its economic efficiency.  
Option 3: decommissioning of fleet 
This option is also based on MSY approach but the recommended fishing mortality levels 
would be achieved in a shorter time. The option  implies reducing fishing mortality and 
addressing overcapacity of fleet through voluntary decommissioning.  
This option was assessed as showing EU's commitment to achieving a balance between 
fishing and the productive capacity  of the stock. The option would also bring the necessary 
short-term reduction to hake fishing mortality while allowing for a development of a smaller 
but more efficient and more prof itable fishing sector. As a resu lt, the system is geared to 
mitigate the economic impact that the fisheries sector may experience during the initial phase 
of the transition and ensure the sustainable fisheries resources. 
Conclusion 
The report concludes that Option 3 should be the chosen action. Adjusting fishing mortality to 
MSY levels through a short-term voluntary deco mmissioning of fleet, fo llowed by fishing at a 
stable rate thereafter would be st address the problem faced by the northern hake fishery.  
In the past the Commission tended to centre on providing for gradual adjustments in fishing 
mortality through long-term management plans to  avoid social disrup tions. Given a current 
situation, where operational costs in the indus try have significantly increased leading to 
increased pressure to adopt the fleet capacity, the stakeholders request  opportunities to allow 
for accelerated adaptations of the EU fleet. D ecommissioning of fleet is  therefore the option 
supported by DG MARE and stakeholders, who ha ve been extensively consulted during the 
development of this policy.