Coreper, the committee of member states’ permanent representatives to the EU, has formally adopted the Council’s negotiating mandate on the multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea. Negotiations with the European Parliament will, therefore, soon be able to begin.
The text approved by Coreper remains very close to the general approach adopted by the Council in April (see EUROPE 11773). The member states want to restrict the scope of the plan to a number of major target fisheries and to increase flexibility in the management of by-catches in mixed fisheries. The text will allow the adoption of “discard plans” for species in all sea basins. It seeks generally to lighten the administrative burden that could result from additional control provisions. Lastly, as part of consultations with third countries on jointly managed stocks, the Council proposes ensuring a level playing field for EU operators.
Differences
The trialogue talks will, then, be able to begin with the European Parliament and the Commission. Parliament adopted a negotiating mandate on 14 September (see EUROPE 11862) somewhat removed from the Council’s position. Among the main Parliamentary demands are: setting ranges within which the Council will establish total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas; management of stocks in line with the principle of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2020 at the latest; management measures based on the best scientific advice available and suspension of fishing when a stock in endangered. Lastly, MEPs propose that stocks jointly managed with third countries and fishing opportunities should not exceed the ranges set out in the plan and that future bilateral agreements with third countries should take account of this recovery plan.