On Monday 27 January, the Spanish, French and Italian fisheries ministers called for a review of the provisions of the multiannual management plan for demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean.
This request (https://aeur.eu/f/f8q ) was supported at the European Council of Ministers by the other countries that fish in the Mediterranean (although they are less affected), namely Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Croatia (see EUROPE 13565/2). Other countries (the Netherlands, Denmark, Latvia) have shown their solidarity with the Mediterranean countries, particularly because of the lack of flexibility in other multiannual management plans, such as the one for the Baltic Sea.
According to Spain, France and Italy, this management plan should: - take into account the mixed nature of the fisheries in this area; - ensure greater legal certainty and economic predictability for operators (e.g. provide for “reductions and increases in days limited to 20%”); - improve scientific advice. Spain has also asked to be allowed to carry over quotas.
The European Commission is not opposed to a review, but only in the light of the consultations launched on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) regulation.
According to this institution, it is necessary to continue to have the courage to implement the plan, which provides for compensation mechanisms (additional days at sea) and a postponement to 2025 of compliance with the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in this zone. In particular, the Commission raised the problem of overexploitation of hake stocks in the Mediterranean. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)