“Solving the problem of the EU quota for Arctic cod is one of my top priorities”, declared European Commissioner for Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius during a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries on Tuesday, 13 July.
“In the Svalbard Fisheries Protection Zone, Norway is bound by the principle of non-discrimination: the EU’s legitimate right must be respected”, hammered home the commissioner, who hopes that an agreement will be found with Norway on this point. Norway refuses to accept an EU quota for Arctic cod.
Mr Sinkevičius explained that the EU already sent Norway two ‘notes verbales’ (in February and at the end of June) to remind it of the EU’s position, namely “returning to a fair share [of this Arctic cod quota] for the EU”.
In addition, he indicated that the European Commission would adopt a report assessing the common fisheries policy (CFP) in 2022. According to the commissioner, it will be a matter of evaluating whether the instruments were used effectively and identifying, if necessary, areas where efforts are needed to ensure that the EU’s goals regarding the sustainability of fish stocks are reached.
The impact of climate change on fish stocks will also need to be assessed.
When answering questions—from Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) in particular—on the deadlock in the EU-Mauritania negotiations on a new fisheries agreement, Virginijus Sinkevičius stated, “We are sparing no effort to reach an agreement, but not at any cost”. As for the risk that EU vessels’ fishing activities in Mauritanian waters will be interrupted (the current protocol expires in mid-November), the commissioner tried to be reassuring: “We are doing all that we can to avoid a negative scenario”, he declared. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)