Europe’s regional seas are generally in poor condition, threatening the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the European fishing industry, according to a document published on Wednesday 28 August by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The agency claims that overfishing, by-catch and habitat degradation are responsible for the “decline in marine biodiversity” in Europe’s seas, as well as pressures from eutrophication, pollution and climate change.
Among the measures recommended to reverse the depletion of stocks are the phasing out of harmful fishing practices and the promotion of low-impact harvesting techniques, as well as the expansion and better management of the network of marine protected areas.
Protected areas cover around 12% of the EU’s seas, but only a fraction of these have management plans and less than 1% offer strict protection, including banned fishing, deplores the EEA. The EU has committed to protect 30% of its seas by 2030, with 10% being strictly protected.
To read EAS’s report: https://aeur.eu/f/d94 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)