The Spanish Minister of Fisheries, Luis Planas, asked the European Commission, on Monday 26 September, to “suspend the application of the regulation” that prohibits fishing in 87 deep water areas of the continental shelf and to review it in the light of new scientific data (see EUROPE 13022/13).
At the EU Council, the subject of deep-sea fishing was raised at the request of Spain, France and Ireland, following the adoption of the regulation determining deep-sea fishing areas and establishing a list of areas with vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Mr Planas said that if the Commission did not accede to Spain’s request, “we will take the measures we deem appropriate, without ruling out the possibility of bringing an action before the Court of Justice of the EU, since there is a basis for doing so”.
This regulation seriously affects the interests of the Community fisheries sector, according to Spain. For Mr Planas, this text contains “serious errors”. He mentioned the lack of consultation with the sector and EU countries and the failure to take into account the latest scientific data. The regulation should be revised, France argued.
The Commission said it was at the disposal of the countries to ensure a smooth implementation of the text “pending the decision for 2023”.
See the list of areas with vulnerable marine ecosystems: https://aeur.eu/f/399 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)