An Evaluation of the Impact of Inter-annual Quo-ta Flexibility (Banking and Borrowing) on the Performance of the North Sea Flatfish Long Term Management Plan

On basis of a request from the EU Commission ICES is asked to evaluate the impact of an inter-annual quota flexibility (banking and borrowing) scheme on the perfor-mance of the current EU long term management plan for plaice and sole in the North Sea. The request was answered in ICES advice in June 2013.

In 2012, ICES evaluated the long term management plan for plaice and sole in the North Sea and found it to be precautionary and consistent with the principles of MSY management. This evaluation was repeated including inter-annual quota flexibility (“banking and borrowing“) for plaice and sole. Its impact on the performance of the long term management plan is evaluated by comparing results with and without in-ter-annual quota flexibility.