Trade organisations in Europe’s fishing industry have welcomed the progress made in the measures contained in the ‘Ocean Pact’, while NGOs have expressed concern over the absence of new binding targets for the protection of marine resources (see EUROPE 13654/3).
For Europêche, the organisation representing EU fishers and shipowners, the Pact charts a new course for fisheries. Europêche welcomes the recognition of the essential role of fisheries within the broader framework of ocean governance. The organisation specifically commends the measures that correspond to the priorities of the European fisheries sector, including a forthcoming ‘Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture’, which will be associated with the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and a case-by-case approach to determining which fishing techniques are compatible with the conservation of target species and habitats in marine protected areas.
However, Europêche is concerned about the lack of additional public funding to support the Pact’s ambitious objectives. “The high level of investment needed for research, innovation, the renewal of the fleet and the broader implementation of the Pact’s goals highlights the urgent need to strengthen and expand the EMFAF (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034”, says the organisation.
The European Bottom Fisheries Alliance(EBFA) welcomes the emphasis in the Pact on implementing marine protection measures on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific ecological, economic and social characteristics of each marine region, including strict protection objectives. However, according to EBFA, this approach is in direct contradiction with the proposal to phase out bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030, as set out in the annex to the pact, “which adds to the uncertainty and confusion on this issue”.
NGOs are calling for concrete measures. On the other side of the argument, some NGOs deplore the lack of legally binding objectives, in particular the absence of a clear commitment to protect at least 30% of the EU’s seas by 2030, with 10% under strict protection.
In a joint statement, BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe and WWF warn that for this legislation to succeed, it must lead to the immediate implementation of existing commitments and include legally binding targets and thresholds.
The six NGOs believe that the Pact lacks concrete measures to tackle the most harmful activities in European waters, such as overfishing, pollution and destructive practices in marine protected areas.
Although the Pact provides for work to be done on the implementation and enforcement of existing legislation, it does not propose any clear action plan in this area, deplore the NGOs, who are once again calling for concrete measures to “progressively eliminate destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, in marine protected areas”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)