On Tuesday 30 July, the European Commission adopted a report showing the efforts made by EU countries to improve the selectivity of fishing gear, in line with the objectives of the 2019 regulation on technical measures (see EUROPE 12797/8).
“Member States and stakeholders are investing in the development of new technologies to meet the objectives of the Regulation. While more remarkable results are yet to be seen in the next period, the Commission, Member States and the stakeholders should continue to work together to find the most effective ways forward to implement and keep supporting research in gear and innovation”, the report states.
To improve selectivity, Member States have implemented measures to minimise cod by-catches in the Celtic Sea and, based on similar results in the North Sea, discussions are underway to increase the mesh size of squid fisheries (from 40 to 80 mm, or 90 mm depending on the area).
France and Spain adopted national measures to protect the common dolphin in 2021, using acoustic deterrent devices in the Bay of Biscay for certain trawlers (see EUROPE 13333/16). As well as using pingers on trawlers, France is increasingly using on-board cameras to improve knowledge of the dolphin population. France is also working on a number of projects to prevent dolphins being by-caught in gillnets.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/d61 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)