In a statement (https://aeur.eu/f/aaa ) to be published when the regulation on Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2024 in the waters of the Atlantic and North Sea is formally adopted, seven EU Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal) note with concern “a negative trend” of declining fishing opportunities and increasing zero catches (see EUROPE 13312/6).
These countries are advocating a “more balanced” approach that takes into account the three main objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): the environmental sustainability and preservation of fisheries resources, social sustainability of coastal communities, and promotion of fisheries activities giving full consideration to socio-economic aspects.
“The current data gathering and scientific methodology are to be looked at in order to improve the quality of the decision making process and the TAC setting”, according to these countries, which plan to publish a joint non-paper on this issue in the near future.
In a separate statement, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal and Spain regret that Norway is “not respecting the political agreement between the EU and Norway from April 2022 by not setting a quota for the EU for cod in Svalbard waters”. The Member States recall their long-standing historical fishing rights in the Svalbard area. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)