On Thursday 20 September, fifty-seven experts of worldwide renown signed a declaration calling on EU decision-makers to adopt an ambitious plan for the management of fish stocks in the Western Mediterranean, and especially to counter the adverse effects of bottom trawling.
The NGO Oceana is at the origin of this initiative and points out that 90% of stocks in the Mediterranean are over-fished.
Scientists (from both the EU and third countries) are calling on the EU to adopt ambitious multiannual plans to “truly reform fisheries in the region”. The scientists speak of complying with maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and cite the 2020 deadline even though this may not be possible for all stocks in the Mediterranean.
Bottom trawling is branded as being highly destructive as it is said to be responsible for the bulk of discards (over 40%), juvenile by-catches and incidental catches of vulnerable species.
In particular, it is proposed that increasing the trawl-free zone from the current 50 metre depth to at least 100 metres throughout the entire year would better protect juveniles and improve the protection of sensitive habitats.
Other measures recommended are: - protection of nursery and spawning grounds in areas deeper than 100 m by closing fisheries temporarily or permanently; - and catch limits in line with scientific advice. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)