According to a communication adopted by the European Commission on Tuesday, 16 June, healthy fish stocks continue to help boost the EU fishing fleet’s economic performance, “although the economic performance of the EU fleet in 2020 remains uncertain due to the combined effects of the COVID-19 health crisis”.
This text gives an overview of the progress made in implementing the common fisheries policy (CFP) and examines the socio-economic performance of the EU fleet, the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities, and the implementation of the landing obligation (end of discards).
Moreover, the communication presents the main guidelines that will shape the Commission’s proposals on fishing opportunities for 2021.
Member States and stakeholders are invited to reflect on the policy guidelines in the communication and provide feedback to the Commission by 31 August 2020.
The Commission indicates that the economic performance of the EU fleet in 2020 remains uncertain due to the combined effects of a decline in demand and the disruption of supply chains resulting from the crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the communication, early indications suggest that the fisheries sector has been “hit hard” by the market disruption, since demand suddenly declined. The Commission admits that the decline in demand and the drop in first-sale prices led “many vessels to cease their activity”. It reiterates the emergency measures taken to support the fisheries sector during these difficult times (see EUROPE 12472/6).
The Commission also mentions the transition period set out in the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK, which expires at the end of 2020, “unless extended”.
This coming autumn, the Commission will make its proposals on fishing quotas for 2021 in the Atlantic, the English Channel, and the North Sea.
To consult the text: https://bit.ly/3d1odzu (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)