At the meeting of EU fisheries ministers in Brussels on Monday 19 March, European Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella unveiled the “both ambitious and realistic” multiannual management plan for demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean (see EUROPE 11977). Some of the measures contained in the plan have come in for criticism from France and Italy.
The plan proposes setting targets for the most important commercial demersal fish stocks: hake; red mullet, deep-water rose shrimp, Norway lobster, blue and red shrimp and giant red shrimp. To achieve these targets, a system to manage fishing effort (limiting the annual number of days at sea) is proposed. In view of the large number of boats involved and the multi-species fishing carried out, this is the “best approach”, the commissioner said. He warned, however: “Let me be clear: if the effort system does not produce the expected results, we may impose total allowable catches (TACs)”. Furthermore, the Commission plan suggests stopping trawlers operating in sea beds up to 100 metres deep from 1 May to 31 July each year, to reserve the coastal zone for more selective fishing gears. Three member states will be affected by these provisions: Spain, Italy and France.
Addressing the Council, Spain said merely that it was open to discussion. Italy and France, however, raised a number of misgivings. Italy said that two main problems were thrown up: - the overly high number of delegated acts provided for in the regulation which risks restricting member states’ room for manoeuvre in adapting the plan to specific regional situations; - the socio-economic impact on small-scale fisheries. “A great deal of work will be needed before an agreement can be reached”, warned the Italian delegation.
For France, the ban on fishing waters of up to 100 metres for three months of the year and the very significant implementation efforts required from the first year are the most problematic issues.
Other member states in the area (Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Portugal) made clear that they would monitor the discussions very closely because this is the first plan of its type in the Mediterranean.
Technical level talks will now begin. The European Commission will present its proposals to MEPs on the fisheries committee on Wednesday 21 March. (Original version in French)