By adopting a more forward-looking approach based on environmental and social considerations when allocating fishing quotas, the European Commission and Member States can safeguard fish populations while supporting the livelihoods of responsible fishers, according to a report published on Monday 19 February by the NGO Seas At Risk.
The report presents 10 practices implemented by national governments to allocate fishing opportunities. “If upscaled, replicated and tailored to national realities, these examples can lead to sustainable fishing practices, the prevention of overfishing and the enhancement of fishers’ wellbeing”, according to the NGO.
With the exception of Spain, Malta and Ireland, Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) regulation is rarely invoked explicitly in the case studies. However, governments have granted derogations and implemented measures that bring the allocation of quotas into line with the objectives set out in Article 17, such as safeguarding small-scale fleets and promoting passive gear. Although these cases often concern small percentages of the total quota, “the impact is meaningful for small-scale fleets and the economic sectors dependent on them, especially in the case of valuable species”, according to the report.
Link to the report: https://aeur.eu/f/awl (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)