Cod stocks in the North Sea are so depleted that fishing must be halted, warned scientists today.
But environmentalists are concerned that EU politicians will ignore the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) - their own scientific advisors - when they set fishing quotas for 2009.
The scientists also expressed concern that as many cod are being discarded overboard as brought to market.
Willie Mackenzie, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace, said:
"Yet again scientists have stressed that the only way to save decimated cod stocks is not to catch any. Yet politicians continually ignore the experts and, as a result, lead us towards barren oceans and a ruined fishing industry."
"The ridiculous approach at the moment is clearly not working. Cod are being pushed towards extinction while fishermen are forced to chuck back half of their catch because of the farcical quota system. We urgently need to move towards a sustainable fishing industry. And politicians should start by creating large marine reserves in the North Sea."
To see the full advice from ICES, go to http://www.ices.dk/advice/icesadvice.asp.
Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255
