On Tuesday 26 March in Brussels, several European fisheries ministers welcomed the January 2024 ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU, which they believe gives the Council of the EU a margin of discretion in determining total allowable catches (TACs) in the case of mixed fisheries (see EUROPE 13326/18).
Luis Planas, the Spanish minister, welcomed this ruling and called for a reflection on how to improve the evaluation of the socio-economic pillar of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) with a view to setting the next TACs and quotas for 2025.
The French delegation pointed out that the ruling confirms the Council’s discretion in defining TACs and confirms the approach taken each year. “We need a certain amount of flexibility in setting TACs”, said Portuguese minister Maria do Céu Antunes. The judgment was welcomed by the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Poland. Negative effects on fishers must be avoided, said Italy.
On behalf of the European Commission, Stella Kyriakides called for caution in setting TACs at sustainable levels. “The Commission will of course take account of the Court’s important ruling” when it presents its proposals later this year on fishing opportunities for 2025. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)