This closure, which came into force on 1 March, after having given two days notice to the fleets, has been adopted due to consumption of 90 per cent of the share in the first half, a total of approximately 5,500 tons.
Trawl fishing will continue however until the individual quota for each vessel runs out.
Spain's mackerel quota has been reduced this year as a result of payment of a fine imposed by the European Commission due to overfishing in 2010.
Mackerel Fishery Closed in North Cantabrian
SPAIN - The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment has established a temporary closure of the mackerel fishery, for the first half of the year to purse seine vessels in the West Bay of Biscay national fishing grounds.
by Lucy Towers
