Brussels, 04/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - A few days away from the plenary vote on the report by Ulrike Rodust (S&D, Germany) on the basic regulation reforming the common fisheries policy (CFP - see EUROPE 10777), Europêche and Copa-Cogeca - representing the interests of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Europe - have said that they are very concerned about the methods provided in this report for banning discards.
“The radical aim to ban the practice of fish discards and the obligation to register and to land all caught species that are fished and regulated according to a strict timeframe beginning at the latest from 1 January 2014 is a source of great concern to the European fishing sector. There is no doubt that it will be difficult to achieve this so quickly because vessels are not equipped with the necessary measuring devices or storage facilities to land all the fish that has been caught at the port. The sector is therefore in favour of a gradual process, which is not rushed, and which is carried out fishery by fishery, accompanied by technical and trade measures that are acceptable to fishermen”, the associations say in a letter to President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz on 1 February.
Europêche and Copa-Cogeca also request that before the implementation of measures on landing all that is caught, the Commission should carry out “a study on the actual discards situation and the impact that the obligation to land all catch will have on different fisheries”. This study should, in the industry's view, evaluate the situation of mixed fisheries (activities in which several species of fish are caught at the same time) and should compile a list of appropriate measures to allow “a gradual yet significant reduction” in discards in EU waters. Lastly, it is important, in the organisations' opinion, to exempt from the obligation to land: - captured species which could be used as live bait; - species which could have a high chance of survival if they are thrown back into the sea after capture; - and species which, during fishing expeditions that last over 24 hours, deteriorate quickly and which can thus affect catches on board from being adequately conserved.
While sharing the Commission's desire to put sustainability at the heart of the future CFP, Europêche and Copa-Cogeca believe that a balance must be struck between the three underlying components of this policy (environmental, social and economic) in order to ensure that the resource, which will guarantee that the profession continues to thrive, is in a good state, and to maintain a European fisheries and aquaculture sector which is viable, profitable, dignified and competitive.
The objective of achieving maximum sustainable yield by 2015 is “too rigid and unrealistic”, the letter says. It should be phased in “gradually and with flexibility by 2020 at the latest, depending on the situation of different fish stocks in Europe and should take into account the problems associated with mixed fisheries”.
The objective of multiannual management plans for fish stocks is welcomed by the profession, which is in favour of them being established for each fishery. The plans must be grounded in exhaustive and reliable scientific research and based on fisheries management decisions, and should guarantee in-depth consultation with stakeholders during their preparation. They must also contain measures and deadlines for action in order to carry out the obligation to land catches.
Transferable fishing concessions have been rejected by the European Parliament's fisheries committee. In the view of Europêche and Copa-Cogeca, any decision concerning the establishment and allocation of these concessions must be done “on a voluntary basis and must thus be included under the responsibilities of the members states because we consider that they may be inappropriate for small-scale coastal fishing and, in any case, they are not suitable for the Mediterranean”. Given this situation, the European fishing sector notes with interest the willingness to expand the definition of “small-scale fishing” to take into account a series of criteria other than the size of the vessel.
The objective of greater regionalisation in the management decisions of the CFP is shared by the European fishing sector, which believes that that “top-down micro management at Union level lacks flexibility and is poorly adapted to local and regional conditions. Involving the sector more in management decisions is conducive to an atmosphere where the rules are adhered to”, according to the professionals.
The objective of fully integrating external policy into the CFP must be accompanied by the EU's enhanced role on the international stage. Partnership agreements in the fishing sector, like the Northern agreements, “are of the utmost importance to the survival of the European fishing sector. Not only do they allow access to surplus available resources and provide the EU market with high quality foodstuffs, but they also help to maintain jobs in Europe and contribute to the development of the fishing sector in partner countries”, the organisations' write.
Lastly, the objective of promoting sustainable and competitive development of aquaculture is vital and will be of strategic importance in the years to come to ensure European and global food supply. The competitiveness of the sector is “extremely closely linked to strict monitoring of products imported from third countries into Europe and to equal treatment for all operators on the market”, Europêche and Copa-Cogeca conclude. (IL/transl.fl)