On Wednesday 1 February, the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) criticised the European Commission’s plans to phase out bottom fishing gear in all marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030.
The European Commission is due to adopt in mid-February reports on the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Common Fisheries Organisation, 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).
It includes a ban on bottom trawling in marine protected areas.
However, according to Iván López van der Veen, President of EBFA, this approach “stands in stark contrast with the scientific approach” presented by EBFA to the Commission services. The designation of MPAs may include many other non-fisheries related conservation measures, such as the protection of seabirds, mammals or turtles. Why ban a perfectly regulated activity that does not impact the habitat or species to be protected? - he asks.
The EBFA therefore considers the ban on bottom mobile gears in these areas to be “disproportionate, unjustified, not based on the best available science and contrary to international commitments”.
NGOs have long called for a progressive ban on bottom trawling, which is considered harmful to marine ecosystems (see EUROPE 13112/14). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)