On Wednesday 1 March, the vast majority of members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries criticised the content of the action plan on marine ecosystems, which includes a ban on bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs).
In this action plan adopted on 21 February, the Commission calls on Member States to propose common recommendations and take national measures to phase out mobile bottom fishing in all MPAs by 2030 at the latest and not to allow it in newly created MPAs. The first measures should be taken as early as March 2024 for Natura 2000 sites under the Habitats Directive, according to the action plan (see EUROPE 13126/1).
Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, French), Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, hammered home the point that banning bottom fishing gear in MPAs would “kill off a large part of the EU’s fishing industry, and that will start with those already committed to protecting ecosystems”. He gave the example of the scallop fishery in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc and called on the European Commission to withdraw the action plan, which he considered “illegal”.
Peter Van Dalen (EPP, Dutch) said that fishers were speechless about the Commission’s measures and that many Member States were also critical of them. He also defended electric trawling, which is thought to be beneficial for the environment.
Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) also protested: “You want bottom trawling to disappear in 2030, who will pay for it?” For Izaskun Bilbao (Renew Europe, Spanish), it is too easy to ban bottom gears in general when very good practices exist.
The measures will wipe out the fisheries sector, warned Ladislav Ilčić (ECR, Croatian).
Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, French), unlike previous speakers, described the Commission’s intention to phase out bottom gears in MPAs as “good news”. She deplored the fact that this action plan relies on “the goodwill of the Member States, which often block this kind of measure”.
Take into account scientific advice. Charlina Vitcheva, Director General in the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), pointed out that the College of Commissioners was a body of political parties and therefore this action plan was a political decision. The action plan is based on existing legislation, which is binding, she also argued. She also assured that the Commission had launched an infringement procedure regarding stranded dolphins in France.
The recommendations on the elimination of bottom gears will take into account the specificities of sea basins and scientific advice, and the Commission will be able to act by delegated acts (via the Technical Measures Regulation), said Ms Vitcheva. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)