On Tuesday 24 June, the EU fisheries ministers asked the European Commission to take account of progress made in restoring fish stocks during the forthcoming negotiations on 2026 fishing quotas (see EUROPE 13655/9).
Luis Planas, the Spanish minister, stressed the need to move towards adopting multiannual total allowable catches (TACs). “We would like to thank the Commission not only for adopting those from previous years, but also for extending the list to Zone 8C”, he added. He also called for the EU Council’s decisions to be brought forward from December to November, or even October, as is already the case for the Baltic Sea, in order to apply the same logic to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. “Otherwise, it’s very difficult for companies to plan their activity just a fortnight before the start of the season”, he explained.
Modernisation. France discussed the necessary changes to the common fisheries policy (CFP), stressing the need to modernise the fleet while preserving sustainability of resources. It advocated the introduction of a tonnage specifically dedicated to decarbonisation, as well as a review of the rules governing support for shipbuilding in order to meet safety and energy efficiency requirements without increasing fishing capacity. France has also called for “mirror” tariff conditionality measures as part of trade agreements, and for action against third countries practising illegal fishing.
Mediterranean. The ministers noted the first signs of improvement in the biological condition of species. Spain requested increased ceilings on fishing days (fishing effort), taking account of scientific advice. Italy, for its part, considered it unnecessary to think solely in terms of reducing fishing effort, and indicated that it had implemented a plan to dismantle vessels.
Spain, France and Italy have asked that Article 4.3 of the regulation on the fisheries management plan for the Western Mediterranean be revised, “because we feel that it could be a legal obstacle to effective decision-making in December”, explained Luis Planas. The aim is to guarantee a sufficient number of fishing days. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)