On Tuesday 12 February in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved (525 votes in favour, 132 against and 19 abstentions) the interinstitutional agreement on the multiannual plan for the management of demersal stocks in western waters (see EUROPE 12178). The Council has yet to formally adopt the text of the Regulation which will enter into force on the day of its publication in the EU's Official Journal, probably in spring 2019.
The plan sets out the rules for the exploitation of demersal species such as hake, common sole, herring and cod, as well as deep-sea stocks. The aim is to set a level of fishing opportunities that would ensure that less than 5% of stock is at risk of having its reproductive capacity reduced.
Brexit. During the debate on the previous day, the rapporteur, Alain Cadec (EPP, France), welcomed the inclusion of sea bass in the list of species covered by the long-term management plan. He also stressed that “this plan is of particular importance in the context of Brexit “. Indeed, British waters are directly affected by this plan. With the adoption of this plan before the United Kingdom leaves the EU, “this plan will be part of the Community acquis during the transition period and will lay the foundations for future cooperation with the United Kingdom in the fisheries sector”, concluded Mr Cadec. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)