Brussels, 28/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The trialogues on common fisheries policy (CFP) reform have begun and will continue till the 8-9 April next. For the time being, no controversial issues, such as the ban on discards and management of fish stocks according to the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) principle, have yet been tackled.
On 27 February, EU fisheries ministers concluded extremely lengthy negotiations, finally reaching agreement on a general approach on the arrangements for implementing the ban on discards. The European Parliament adopted its position on CFP reform on 6 February.
On 27 February, the EP rapporteur on the CFP reform, Ulrike Rodust (S&D, Germany), warned that the EP would not accept this agreement, particularly the compromise on the de minimis exception as part of the obligation to landing all catches. She noted that the Council agreement on the de minimis exemption “does not constitute an exemption but rather a get out clause”. She added that “some member states are simply refusing any change imposed on their fishermen. I don't expect Parliament to accept that”.
After more than 20 hours of negotiations, the Council opted for a phasing in of the discard ban and the obligation to land all catches from 2014 to 2019, depending on the different species and zones. The ban will be targeted on species covered by total allowable catches (TAC) and those subject to minimum landing sizes. This is the first difference with the EP's position, which chose a ban on discards of all fish stocks. Under the Council compromise, the discard ban will apply to pelagic species from 1 January 2014, in the Baltic Sea from 1 January 2015, and in the North Sea and in north east and south-east waters from 1 January 2016, with a three-year transition period. It will apply from 1 January 2017 in the Mediterranean (with a two-year transition period) and in the Black Sea and all European and non-European waters. The EP is more ambitious on the deadline for banning discards (between 2014 and 2017).
De minimis exemption. The Council compromise does not include any species or zone derogations but, in an effort to help fishermen adapt to the new rules, a de minimis exemption has been ratified. An acceptable level of discards is to be set, reducing gradually from 9% of catches/days at sea in 2014 and 2015 to 8% in 2016 and 2017 and 7% as from 2018. These exemptions will be subject to certain conditions, including the obligation to record any incidental catches. The European Parliament does not envisage any derogation of this kind.
The Council also decided that, during a transition period, any fish landed but not marketable could be used for charitable purposes (if they are of the minimum landing size required). If not, in line with the general rule, fish smaller than the minimum reference size should be used for purposes other than human consumption, including fish flour, fish oil, animal feeds, food additives, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The EP is more or less on the same wavelength with regard to the outlets for these discards.
Maximum sustainable yields and fish sanctuaries. In June 2012, the Fisheries Council agreed a partial general approach on the main themes such as: ending fish discards at sea (with a timetable for the ban that still needs to be worked out), stock management according to the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) principle, the optional use of transferable fishing concessions, regionalisation of decision-making and enhancing the role of producer organisations (see EUROPE 10633). The Council and the EP are also expected to hold MSY discussions during trialogues. The Council wants the Union to improve its CFP so that the exploitation of marine biological resources restore and maintain fish stock populations at least at the levels that allow MSY to be achieved and that these exploitation levels are reached by 2015 if possible and by 2020 at the latest. The EP wants to go beyond the MSY.
Another controversial subject is the EP's request that member states set up a coherent network of fish recovery zones in which all fishing activities are banned, particularly the zones that are important for fish reproduction. The majority of member states are refusing to set up such fish “sanctuaries”. (LC/transl.fl)