The European Commission announced on 8 August that the EU/UK Specialised Committee on Fisheries had concluded three agreements aimed at improving fisheries management between the parties.
These agreements include: - a mechanism for the voluntary transfer of fishing opportunities between the EU and the UK; - common guidelines for notifying management measures to the other party; - improvements in the management of four shared stocks (lemon sole, witch, turbot and brill).
According to the European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, “these agreements demonstrate that the EU and UK can work effectively together under the framework of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. These agreements will improve the sustainable management of our shared fishing stocks and support both our fleets. They demonstrate the success of our work together to normalise our new fisheries relationship and set a strong basis for continued cooperation on shared management challenges”.
The introduction of a mechanism for voluntary in-year transfers of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) between the EU and the UK will help the fleets of both parties to adapt the allocation of their fishing opportunities to their specific operational needs. This mechanism will allow several series of transfers during the year, based on proposals from the sector. It is based on the principles of the provisional emissions trading system in place since 2021, which has proved effective. This agreement follows the principles applied for quota trading within the EU.
The parties have also made significant progress in the management of shared stocks of lemon sole, witch, turbot and brill. The EU and the UK have adopted a recommendation establishing a new framework for setting TACs for these four stocks, after scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicated that the previous management approach posed risks to sustainability. This framework includes new TACs for these stocks in the Channel and Skagerrak.
As a result of the 3rd agreement, the EU and the UK must now notify each other of all management measures they take in their respective waters that are likely to affect each other’s vessels. These guidelines clarify this process, particularly with regard to notification deadlines, the standardised content of notifications and the commitment to notify.
For more details on the agreements in question: https://aeur.eu/f/8bk (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)