Brussels, 11/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 10 July, the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to Italy and Spain for these countries fully to respect the rules of the Union on fishing in the waters of the Mediterranean.
Under the “Mediterranean regulation” on fishing, member states must adopt national management plans for fishing activities carried out by trawl nets, boat seines, shore seines, surrounding nets and dredges within their territorial waters.
The deadline for the adoption of these management plans was 31 December 2007. Contrary to the requirements of the regulation, Italy and Spain have still not adopted valid management plans for fishing activities conducted by dragnets. These national plans are extremely useful instruments to guarantee the sustainable use of fish resources in the Mediterranean (where there are no quotas for any fish species except bluefin tuna). Unless Italy and Spain come up with a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may bring the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union. (LC)