Representatives of the fishing industry from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom joined forces on Tuesday 22 July in Ostend, Belgium, to alert the European institutions to the potentially devastating consequences of phase three of the marine protected areas (MPAs) currently under consultation.
This phase corresponds to a new series of restrictive management measures in existing or extended MPAs, aimed at achieving the EU’s objective of protecting 30% of marine areas by 2030, including 10% under strict protection. It includes strict bans on certain fishing activities, such as bottom trawling (see EUROPE 13659/6).
Fishermen are denouncing measures drawn up without any real consultation or consideration of local economic and ecological realities. In their view, these uniform restrictions (in particular the general ban on towed gear and, in some cases, even passive gear) risk wiping out entire communities for little environmental benefit.
The sector points to the efforts already made: technical innovations, voluntary closures, diversification and reduction in fishing effort. However, these efforts are now being “punished” by decisions that are deemed out of touch and based on unverified hypotheses.
Professionals fear outsourcing to third countries with lower standards, which would simply export the ecological footprint. They also criticise the lack of time for consultation (which they would like to see extended until 1 November).
Finally, the fishermen point to the inequality of treatment between sectors. While fishing is subject to increasing constraints, other activities, such as offshore energy, continue to develop with far fewer restrictions. These fishermen are calling for a profound change in approach: management plans tailored to each MPA, based on science, built with fishermen and rooted in local realities. Otherwise, they warn, it is not just an economic sector that is threatened, but an age-old culture and European food security.
Link to the statement (in French): https://aeur.eu/f/hzn (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)