LISBON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Sardine fishing should be banned in Portugal and Spain next year due to the reduction in the stocks that has been seen over the past few years, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) said on Friday.
"There should be zero captures in 2019," ICES said a statement.
The ICES said the stock of sardines with one or more years of age had been falling since 2006 and was now under 0.4 million tonnes.
The number of young fish has been below average since 2005 and reached its worst result ever in 2017 with fewer than 5,000 tonnes, it said.
Sardine is one of the favorite fishes consumed by the Portuguese. The Lisbon Sardine Festival is held in June every year with people enjoying grilled sardines on stalls beside streets in the center of the capital city.
