On Monday 24 June in Luxembourg, the European Fisheries Ministers welcomed the progress made in the state of fish stocks, but raised a number of problems facing the fishing industry, particularly in terms of profitability.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Fisheries Commissioner, presented the communication on the 2025 quotas (EUROPE 13426/9), insisting that “our efforts are paying off and fish stocks are recovering”. “However, we must remain alert to the worrying state of the Baltic Sea,” said the Commissioner, who confirmed that his departments would be assessing the regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The Commissioner called on EU countries to respect and enforce the rules, in particular as regards the landing obligation (an end to discarding fish at sea). He acknowledged the vulnerability of fleets, particularly because of energy prices. “Wherever possible, we want to move to a system of multiannual total allowable catches (TACs) for EU stocks,” he promised, stressing in particular the “urgent need to protect our eels”.
Portugal deplored the increase in its energy bill.
France felt that current regulations were not conducive to this energy transition and called for “a decarbonisation gauge to facilitate the installation of clean propulsion techniques”.
As far as the energy transition is concerned, we need to use the funds available to develop alternatives, according to Cyprus.
Spain said it saw the socio-economic benefits of more sustainable management of fishing grounds. It also supported Portugal’s request for a specific quota for bigeye tuna in the outermost regions.
For Germany, the Baltic “remains a concern and herring stocks need to be rebuilt”. Dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced, according to this delegation. Poland pointed out that the decline in herring, salmon and eel stocks in the Baltic has direct socio-economic consequences.
Ireland and other countries, such as Malta, Cyprus and France, have advocated a level playing field with third countries. The Netherlands called for a review of the rules on compulsory landings and continued to defend electrofishing. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur and Paul Charles (trainee))