On Monday 26 June, in Luxembourg, the EU fisheries ministers voiced their concerns about the negotiations on fishing quotas with certain third countries, especially Norway and the United Kingdom.
The Council discussed the European Commission’s communication on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2024.
The ministers noted that stocks in the Atlantic are doing better and better and that progress has been made in restoring stocks in the Mediterranean, but that the situation is worrying in the Baltic Sea.
Luis Planas, the Spanish minister, stressed the need to provide the EU with the means to modernise and decarbonise the fishing fleet. This subject will be discussed at the informal meeting of ministers on 17 and 18 July in Vigo. Belgium felt that more funds were needed for new vessels.
Spain, France and Portugal have welcomed the Commission’s intention to introduce multiannual TACs for certain species in 2024.
Italy and Belgium spoke of the need to guarantee a future for bottom trawling at a time when the Commission is considering banning this activity in marine protected areas. France has asked for a debate on the landing obligation.
Germany, Denmark, Poland and Lithuania deplored the problems affecting fish stocks in the Baltic Sea. Germany referred to the need to rebuild herring stocks and criticised the overfishing of mackerel and blue whiting in the North Sea.
Problems with Norway (and the UK) over fisheries were highlighted by Germany (and others, such as France and Denmark), which asked for these problems to be linked to trade issues.
Poland and Lithuania felt that the EU’s efforts to safeguard stocks in the Baltic Sea were being undermined by overfishing by Russia. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)