At the Fisheries Council meeting on June 28, the Commission Communication concerning the consultation on fishing opportunities in 2012 was discussed. The majority of Ministers stated that the objective of reaching the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) level by 2015 should be assessed on a case by case basis, thus failing to live up to their commitment agreed upon in 2002 at the Johannesburg World Sustainable Development Summit.
The Majority of Ministers also raised concerns about the Commission proposal to apply a precautionary reduction of 25% in Total Allowable Catches (TAC) in cases where there is lack of scientific advice.