Brussels, 11/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will not propose a ban on drift nets (rectangular nets hanging vertically in the water without being anchored to the bottom) but will leave member states free to decide whether to bring in a ban of this sort as part of the regionalisation process.
This is one of the main innovations of the proposal on technical measures adopted on Friday 11 March. The Commission has brought forward this proposal to: - optimise the contribution of technical measures to achieving the key objectives of the new common fisheries policy (CFP) which came into force on 1 January 2014; - create the flexibility required to adjust technical measures by facilitating regionalised approaches; - simplify current rules.
Driftnets may be lost at sea. They then become known as ghost gear, continuing over several months or even years to catch fish, contributing to higher fishing mortality, IFREMER scientists say. They can also ensnare cetaceans, in particular dolphins.
Common technical measures.
The proposal contains common rules applicable to all sea basins and considered as de facto permanent: - prohibited gears and practices (use of explosives, poisons, electric currents, etc.) including prohibition on the sale of marine species caught using certain gear types; - measures to protect sensitive species, such as marine mammals, reptiles and seabirds, and habitats, for example, cold water corals, including those listed in the habitats and birds directives; - general restrictions on the use of towed gears; - restrictions on the use of static nets. This includes the consolidation of the existing restrictions on the use of driftnets (i.e. prohibition of the use of drift nets above 2.5 kilometres, prohibition on using such gears to target highly migratory species and the total prohibition on the use of driftnets in the Baltic): however, as part of the regionalisation process, “Member States should strengthen these provisions up to and including the introduction of a total prohibition on the use of such gears where there is scientific evidence that shows the continued use of driftnets constitutes a threat to the conservation status of sensitive species in that region”, states the explanation of the proposed regulation; - minimum conservation reference sizes (definition, measurement, use of under-sized fish); - common measures to reduce discarding (high-grading, slipping, protection for species not under catch limits).
In order to assist the catching sector implement the landing obligation, member states should put in place measures to facilitate the storage and the finding of outlets for marine species which are below the minimum conservation reference size. These measures should include support for investment in the construction and adaptation of landing sites and shelters or support for investment to add value to fishery product. The practices of high-grading and slipping are banned except where the landing obligation provides for derogations.
Regionalisation.
Provision is made for the empowerments needed for regionalisation of technical measures through multiannual plans, temporary discard plans and conservation measures necessary for compliance with obligations under environmental legislation. The empowerments allow the development of regional measures based on joint recommendations submitted by regional groups of member states. A safeguard clause is included that allows the Commission to act where available scientific advice indicates that immediate action is required to protect marine species. This allows the Commission to establish technical measures to alleviate such threats, in addition to or by way of derogation to this regulation or technical measures otherwise fixed in accordance with EU law. Such measures could include restrictions on the use fishing gears or on fishing activities in certain areas or during certain periods.
Annexes
The annexes contain baseline measures by sea basin (that is, North Sea, Baltic, Northwestern waters, Southwestern waters, Mediterranean, Black Sea and the outermost regions). These baseline measures will apply in the absence of measures being put in place regionally. They include baseline mesh sizes, minimum conservation reference sizes, closed or restricted areas to protect juveniles and spawning fish and any other regionally specific measures. There are also annexes containing a list of prohibited species that if caught as bycatches must be returned immediately to the sea; closed areas established for the protection of sensitive habitats and a list of species for which capture with driftnets is prohibited.
Positive economic impact.
The economic impact of the proposal are forecast to be positives, according to the impact assessment carried out, leading to increased fishing opportunities and higher incomes, the fish landed being of higher value (between 10% and 40% higher, according to estimates). The situation is expected to improve with time. The Commission expects rapid stabilisation of employment levels and perhaps even the creation of new jobs. When maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels have been reached, fishing opportunities will increase (by at least 20% by 2020). Average wages will almost double thanks to sustainable fishing, the impact assessment concludes. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)