The NGO Oceana called, on Wednesday 1 February, for the gradual phasing out of the most energy-intensive fishing techniques that are harmful to marine ecosystems, in a report outlining ways in which fishing vessels can reduce fuel consumption and meet the EU’s climate targets.
The publication of this report comes at a time when the European Commission is due to adopt, in mid-February, two reports on the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the common organisation of the fishery markets, an action plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems and a strategy to accelerate the energy transition in the fisheries sector (see EUROPE 13108/1).
According to Oceana’s report (https://aeur.eu/f/55r ), mobile bottom-contacting gears (bottom trawls) are the most fuel-intensive technique in the EU (in litres of fuel per kilo of fish landed). In addition, bottom-contacting gears would release huge amounts of carbon stored in the seabed into the water.
The report identifies short- and long-term solutions to reduce emissions in the European fisheries sector, such as adopting existing technologies that reduce fuel consumption, using alternative gear to partially replace the most energy-intensive fishing gear, or banning the most harmful fishing techniques in marine areas to be protected (blue carbon). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)