On Wednesday 19 February, the European Commissioner for Fisheries, Costas Kadis, sought to reassure the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries that the future ‘Oceans Pact’ would respect the concerns of fishermen.
On the subject of the management plan for stocks in the western Mediterranean, the Commissioner said that he had received letters from the sector and from the ministries of the countries concerned (France, Spain, Italy). “I know there are a lot of concerns. We will see what happens with the various possible options”, he said, refusing at this stage to commit to a revision of the management plan, which “requires an impact assessment”. However, he explained, this type of impact assessment would take some time. Several MEPs, including Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spanish), have called for the management plan to be amended.
Mr Kadis stressed that the new control regulations had to be implemented on schedule.
Oceans Pact. The Commissioner assured MEPs that the competitiveness of the fisheries and aquaculture sector would be a “central element” in this ‘Oceans Pact’ (see EUROPE 13574/16). The first objective, however, is to ensure healthy oceans, “because without healthy oceans we cannot have sustainable fishing and aquaculture”, said Mr Kadis.
Assessment of CFP. “We need to reform the CFP”, said Mr Mato. The evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will take into account the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. Fleet modernisation, decarbonisation and safety in the sector will also be taken into account in the assessment. “The weaknesses that emerge from the evaluation will be taken into account for a possible revision, but in the meantime we need to focus on the implementation of the CFP”, summarised the Fisheries Commissioner.
In his view, the review should lead to better living conditions for fishermen.
Regarding the CFP budget for 2028-2034, “I’m not sure what the structure will be at the level of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), but I will try to ensure that there are sufficient funds in the next MFF to implement the initiatives set out in the ‘Oceans Pact’”, promised Mr Kadis.
He also asked his departments to present a plan to see where the administrative burden of CFP rules could be reduced.
“We need to modernise our sector. It has to be more sustainable, less harmful to the environment, and new technologies should enable us to move forward”, the Commissioner also said.
He reminded André Rodrigues (S&D, Portuguese), who had criticised the quota allocation system, that small-scale fishing accounted for 76% of the European fishing fleet. “It is fundamental to our coastal communities. It needs our support”, said the Commissioner. Aid to small-scale fishers will be examined in the evaluation of the CFP. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)