Brussels, 22/06/2015(Agence Europe) - The European Commission requested on Thursday 18 June that Greece comply with the obligation to adopt national management plans for fisheries conducted by boat seines within their territorial waters.
The Commission sent Greece a reasoned opinion as the country has not put in place a valid management plan for fishing activities on the Mediterranean. Greece will now have two months to inform the Commission of measures taken to remedy the situation. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU.
Boat seines have surrounding nets, towed from the boat and may operate from the surface to the sea bottom depending on the target species. In view of the specific characteristics of many Mediterranean fisheries and as the quota-based fisheries management does not apply, the 2006 Mediterranean regulation requires member states to adopt national management plans combining management of the fishing effort with specific technical measures, to ensure sustainable exploitation of fish resources.
National management plans should also ensure the effectiveness of the prohibition on fishing with boat seines in protected habitats such as sea grass beds, Posidonia oceanica. (Lionel Changeur)