The European Parliament called in Strasbourg on Tuesday 13 June for a number of measures to reverse the decline in fish stocks in the Mediterranean and save the fishing sector.
With its adoption, without amendments (by 558 votes to 43, with 35 abstentions), of the report by Marco Affronte (Greens/EFA, Italy) on the state of stocks and the socio-economic situation of the Mediterranean fishing sector, Parliament called for measures to protect small-scale fishing, improve data-collection and better combat illegal fishing (see EUROPE 11803).
During the debate the previous evening, Affronte pointed out that over 90% of stocks were being overfished in the Mediterranean. Among the measures advocated, he highlighted the need to involve the various third countries. Illegal fishing is still common, he regretted. Quotas are “a taboo subject. Yet it’s an instrument that could be useful”, he argued.
Implementation of multiannual plans. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Research Commissioner Carlos Moedas said that tangible progress was being made “in our efforts to improve fisheries governance in the Mediterranean”. He highlighted the MedFish4Ever declaration that was adopted in March by 13 Mediterranean rim countries
At EU level, progress was expected on multiannual management plans. The Commission has already presented a plan for the small pelagic fisheries in the Adriatic and is working on a plan for demersal fisheries in the western Mediterranean. “We are cooperating with the member states on new national measures, in particular in the Gulf of Lion and the Jabuka/Pomo pit”, Moedas added.
On the multilaterally level, “we will strive to make further progress” at the plenary meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in October, the commissioner said. On the GFCM agenda are adoption of a regional plan of action to fight illegal fishing and the establishment of a pilot project for an international inspection scheme in the Straits of Sicily. Most of the issues raised by Parliament in the Affronte report are addressed in the MedFish4Ever declaration, Moedas said. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)