Brussels, 27/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 22 May, the European Commission launched a public consultation, to run until 11 September 2015, on putting multi-annual plans in place for the management of demersal species in the western waters of the EU. It also asks whether sea bass should be covered by any such plans (see EUROPE 11318).
The Commission states that the new plans must abide by the rules of the new common fisheries policy (CFP) which require that: - the fish stocks concerned are restored to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yields (MSY) as soon as possible, or by 2020 at the latest; - high and sustainable yields are ensured for the fishing industry, while taking in to account the mixed fisheries interactions, interactions with the marine ecosystem and the obligation to land all fish catches; - the relevant stocks are maintained within safe biological limits, and that stocks outside of safe biological limits are brought within those limits as rapidly as possible; - unwanted catches are minimised in order to make it easier for the fishing industry to implement the landing obligation introduced in the reformed CFP; - the framework necessary for the implementation of regionalisation in the long-term management of the relevant stocks is put in place. (Lionel Changeur)