Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries were divided on Thursday 17 March over the need for and modalities of a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
MEPs of Spanish origin have been the most vocal in pushing for reform in this debate in the Committee on Fisheries on CFP reform, while the Greens/EFA Group, for example, wants the rules to be enforced, rather than changed.
Many MEPs and experts invited to the meeting criticised the rules on the landing obligation (end of discards), either because they are not adapted to the reality on the ground or because they contain too many derogations. A number of voices were raised, especially Spanish, in favour of a revision of the definition of fishing capacity, as the current definition “hinders the modernisation of the fleet and, in particular, social and safety improvements on board”, said the president of the Europêche organisation, Javier Garat.
The rapporteur on the CFP reform, Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain), expressed his “scepticism” about the possibility of improving the implementation of the CFP without reforming it. He acknowledged the importance of the link between the CFP and climate change, but said that “there is insufficient consideration of the socio-economic issues”.
The CFP has several objectives (maximising the sustainable production level of the resource and maximising socio-economic benefits). Mr Mato regretted that fisheries was losing its importance in the European Commission’s services.
Francisco José Millán Mon (EPP, Spain) also called for a reform of the CFP. He referred to the social character of the future reform and asked to review the concept of fishing capacity. Imported products must meet EU standards, according to Millán Mon.
Manuel Pizarro (S&D, Portugal) said the CFP had improved environmental, but also economic and social, sustainability. He stressed the need to create safe conditions on board ships.
Several MEPs and experts, including Javier Garat and Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, President of the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO), have criticised the rules on compulsory landing.
Even Clara Ulrich, Chair of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), acknowledged the uncertainties about the effectiveness of these rules, even though the average discard rate has decreased.
Bottom trawling. Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, France) denounced the damage caused by bottom trawling (high rate of by-catches, deterioration of the seabed, displacement of sediments, etc.).
The European Commission is reportedly considering proposing a gradual phase-out of bottom gears in the future action plan for the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems.
Mr Garat regretted the “complete disconnection” of the action plan from the CFP review and the ongoing negotiations on international environmental targets for 2030. He highlighted that “the Commission will end EU sustainable and certified fisheries while continuing to accept large-scale imports from non-EU bottom trawling fisheries”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)