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November 24, 2006

ANGER OVER DEEPWATER FISHING DECISION

[Rachel's introduction: Wildlife conservationists are criticizing a
recent decision by the European Union to ignore scientific advice and
continue to allow fishing for orange roughy and blue ling in the
North Atlantic. They charge that the precautionary principle is being
applied selectively.]

The EU's [European Union's] decision to allow continued fishing of
deepwater stocks has been slammed by WWF [World Wildlife Fund], who
claim that the move undermines efforts to ensure sustainability with
the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Under the new proposals, species
including orange roughy and blue ling have had quotas set, in spite of
scientific advice to close their fisheries completely.

The decision also comes after the EU backed the closure of the orange
roughy fishery in international waters at the North East Atlantic
Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) meeting last week.

"The EU seems to have a double standard for deep sea fisheries in its
waters and outside -- this is not coherent," commented Paul King,
WWF's Director of Campaigns. "The precautionary principle should not
be applicable wherever convenient but to all deep sea fisheries."

The UK, along with Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and
Estonia, expressed their opposition to weakening the original
proposals -- a move that was welcomed by the conservation group.

"While the outcome is not good news for deepwater stocks, the stance
of the blocking minority countries is to be congratulated in facing up
to those Member State who were keen to see even weaker proposals go
through," added Helen McLachlan, WWF Fisheries Officer. "Perhaps the
tide is turning as people acknowledge the parlous state our seas are
in and the action that is required to turn them around."