The EU fisheries ministers launched, on Tuesday 18 July in Vigo, Spain, a debate on how to help the fishing fleet meet new challenges, including energy efficiency.
Luis Planas, the Spanish minister who chaired this informal meeting of ministers, wanted to relaunch the discussion on public aid for the construction of new vessels, as this type of support is no longer possible under the provisions of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
Breaking a taboo. Asked by the press about the current rules, Mr Planas said that it was important to discuss this aid for the construction of new vessels.
He stressed the importance of “breaking the taboo” that there can be no funding for the construction of new ships. “We cannot have efficient and sustainable fisheries in the 21st century using the fishing boats of the 20th century”.
The European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said, after the EU Council, that he was open to discussion on the capacity limits of the EU fishing fleet to take account of new technologies and the need for more space on board.
Mr Sinkevičius said it was “important to open a debate” on the ceilings that limit the maximum number of ships in the EU fleet. The Commissioner warned that it was not a question of eliminating these ceilings, since he had noted that the fleets of certain countries do not reach them, but he was in favour of modifying the ‘formula’ according to which this capacity will be restricted in the future.
The EU should study how the storage capacity of fish is set and how the capacity of the crew can be taken into account when setting these limits. “New technologies require more space on vessels”, added the Commissioner.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is based on the ‘entry-exit’ system, under which only the equivalent of the capacity and power of vessels withdrawn can be added to the fleet.
Energy transition. The Commissioner said: “We want to ensure an energy transition that will keep fishing attractive to younger generations, with the aim of achieving a zero carbon footprint by 2050”.
The Commission will set up “a guide to available financing”, to be published at the end of 2024. The Commission will carry out an ex-post evaluation of the EMFF 2014-2021 and a mid-term evaluation of the EMFAF 2021-2027. These evaluations “will enable us to adjust the support measures for fisheries and aquaculture for the post-2027 horizon”, said Mr Sinkevičius.
Common strategy. Luis Planas presented a discussion paper to his counterparts. “The ministers agreed on the need to define a common strategy to decarbonise the fleet”, he said. Lines of investment are needed to renovate the fishing fleet by building new, more energy-efficient vessels, said the Spanish minister. He also spoke of alternative energies to hydrocarbons.
The majority of the ministers present here “consider that public financial support is necessary to make this transition a success”, summarised Mr Planas, who also mentioned the possibility of private funding.
Don’t expect miracles. Mr Sinkevičius admitted that the ministers had discussed the possibility of financing new vessels under EMFAF. There is not enough money in the fund to finance new boats, he replied. EMFAF can be used to finance new technologies and pilot projects, but not to finance new vessels, the Commission insisted. “We need to see if there are possible synergies with private funds, and financial institutions need to make a commitment” to this transition. He mentioned a possible role for the European Investment Bank (EIB).
For Luis Planas, “other financial possibilities need to be opened up”. “From 2027, we will have a new Multiannual Financial Framework for the EU”, with possible new funding, he hoped.
At the meeting, Javier Garat, President of Europêche, presented a report on decarbonising the fishing fleet.
Revision of the EMFAF? Daniel Voces, Director of Europêche, considered it vital to revise EMFAF to “finance new constructions and investments in ports, provide support for vessels over 24 metres, and increase the aid intensity rate, particularly for new propulsion systems”.
The Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, French), defended the short-term solutions (hybrid engines, less harmful and less fuel-intensive fishing gear) provided for in EMFAF aid. However, there are few incentives to modernise boats, and the implementation of the EMFAF by EU countries is lagging behind, deplored Mr Karleskind. Private partnerships also need to be mobilised to finance decarbonisation, according to the MEP.
In the longer term, public funding is needed, through investment funds. Mr Karleskind does not believe in subsidies for the purchase of new vessels. He said that the EIB could be used to “create financial tools for the fisheries sector”.
Luis Planas defended the introduction of multiannual total allowable catches (TACs) for certain species starting in 2024. The Commission is waiting on scientific advice before proposing any. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)