The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, promised, on Monday 22 June in Luxembourg, at the end of an EU Council debate on fishing opportunities for 2027 (which will be set at the end of the year), to tackle head-on the problem of the complex implementation of the landing obligation.
This measure is intended to reduce fish discards at sea by requiring vessels to bring all their catches ashore.
“I agree with you that the landing obligation has not delivered the expected results. We will therefore examine the root causes of this situation and consider which alternative measures could be adopted to address unwanted discards”, Mr Kadis said, after the exchange of views on the communication on fishing quotas for 2027 (see EUROPE 13863/1).
It is nevertheless clear, he added, that the Union must tackle the issue of discards, which runs counter to food security policy and undermines the sustainability and long-term viability of the sector. These considerations will be central to the ‘EU Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture’ which the Commission will present next autumn, the Commissioner said.
Another takeaway from this debate is that the European Commission will present proposals to revise the management plan for stocks in the western Mediterranean, a strong demand notably from Spain, Italy and France.
“I fully recognise the challenges faced by the sector and I appreciate the efforts already undertaken by Mediterranean fleets to implement conservation measures alongside efforts to regulate fishing activity”, Costas Kadis said. He pledged to ensure that EU decisions on fishing effort (number of days at sea) “are guided by the best available scientific advice”.
The Commissioner also announced that his departments had initiated the procedures provided for in the Union’s legal framework in order to amend the multiannual plans for the Mediterranean, including the one concerning the western Mediterranean, with the aim of addressing the shortcomings identified in their implementation so far. A proposal is expected in early autumn.
Catherine Chabaud, the French Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries, asked the Commission to present an ‘omnibus’ package of measures on the modernisation of fishing vessels. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)