EU ministers for fisheries are to meet in Brussels on Monday 19 March for a first exchange of views on the multiannual plan for demersal species in the Western Mediterranean, which was presented by the European Commission on 8 March (see EUROPE 11977).
During the meeting of experts entrusted with preparing the exchange of views, on Wednesday 14 March, the three member states most concerned – France, Italy and Spain – did not express any concern about the proposals tabled by the Commission but simply welcomed the initiative. The debate in Council should therefore be restricted to a first contact on this dossier.
The main elements of the proposal are to: - establish quantifiable fishing objectives for key demersal stocks in the area from the trade point of view (hake, red mullet, deepwater rose shrimp, langoustine, red shrimp and tiger prawn); - reduce fishing activities during the first year of the plan, in line with scientific opinion; - limit the exploitation of trawlers in deep water up to a depth of 100 m, from 1 May to 31 July each year, in order to reserve the coastal zone for more selective fishing gear; - and establish regional cooperation between France, Italy and Spain concerning the landing obligation and technical conservation measures.
Aquaculture and working conditions
Two other miscellaneous points will also be on the agenda of the meeting. First of all, the European Commission will brief ministers on the state of progress of ratification and the transposition of international instruments concerning working conditions and onboard safety of fishing vessels. In particular, it will encourage the EU28 to rapidly ratify the relevant international conventions (Work in Fishing Convention, STCW-F Convention and CAP agreement). Secondly, the Czech delegation, with the support of Austria, Hungary, Germany, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain, will present a joint statement calling for the development of aquaculture in freshwater in the EU after 2020. These countries hope to have adequate political and financial support for the post-2020 period, as well as greater flexibility to allow member states to meet their national needs and their long-term objectives. (Original version in French)