On Thursday 4 April, the European Parliament approved the text of the final agreement on the multiannual plan for the management of fish stocks in the waters of the western Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12169/11).
The report by Clara Aguilera García (S&D, Spain) on this management plan, which is not perfect, but which has the merit of existing in order to restore stocks, was adopted in plenary with 461 votes in favour, 62 against and 101 abstentions.
The plan is based on a fishing effort management plan (10% reduction in days at sea in the first year, 2020, and a maximum 30% reduction over the next four years), to gradually achieve stock management in accordance with maximum sustainable yield (MSY) objectives: "by 2020, if possible, and no later than 1 January 2025, for the stocks concerned".
Measures to safeguard stocks are provided for if necessary.
Recreational fishing will be regulated in the area and restrictions will apply to trawls: the use of trawls in the western Mediterranean will be prohibited within 6 nautical miles of the coast, except in areas deeper than the 100 metre isobath, for three months each year and, where applicable, consecutively, on the basis of the best available scientific advice.
But derogations introduced are being criticised by some NGOs, which wanted a year-round ban on bottom trawls. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)