At the informal meeting of European fisheries ministers in Cork on Wednesday 29 July, several Member States asked the European Commission for greater flexibility and simplification with regard to the sector’s rules.
France, the Netherlands and Spain all argued for a relaxation of European rules in order to facilitate fleet modernisation and make the profession more attractive.
Silvio Erkens, the Dutch minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, was particularly explicit, announcing that The Hague would push for an omnibus simplification package aimed at reducing the administrative burdens that weigh on fishermen. The Netherlands in particular wants to review the rules linked to the landing obligation (which is intended to put an end to discards at sea), as well as those governing fleet renewal, which are considered too restrictive. The Hague will present a simplification strand in order to ease these constraints and hopes to rally broad support from Member States over the coming months.
For the French minister, Catherine Chabaud, the current rules are also an impediment to the modernisation of vessels. She believes it needs to be easier to build new boats since this change is essential, in her view, to attract young fishermen. “If we want to give young fishermen the opportunity to practise this profession, we must support them (...) and help them obtain new decarbonised boats”, she said.
Spain also believes that this analysis is accurate and is calling for the removal of regulatory obstacles that are currently preventing the construction of new vessels. The Spanish minister, Luis Planas, is notably proposing to simplify the rules, review the concept of ‘fishing capacity’ and move towards multiannual decisions on fishing opportunities so that the sector can enjoy greater stability and economic visibility.
The Hague preferences. When asked about the ‘The Hague preferences’ (a mechanism of the common fisheries policy introduced in 1976), which Ireland would like to see revised, Ms Chabaud avoided adopting a position on the topic. She said she understood the Irish concerns, while also noting that all Member States have fisheries communities that need to be protected. In her view, the discussion will have to be based on scientific advice. She also stressed that those preferences had been designed within a very different context from that of today, while also suggesting that they could be open to debate.
Irish journalists insisted that Ireland provides more than 10% of European fishing waters, but benefits from only around 4% of quotas, which they deem to be an unequitable situation. The French minister avoided replying directly on the topic of allocation of quotas, preferring to develop a broader approach. In her view, the ocean is a common asset, Member States need to cooperate, and scientific research and innovation must be strengthened.
When additionally asked about the quotas allocated to the French fleet in Irish waters, which were allegedly not being fully used, the minister refused to enter into the debate. “You are talking about species. We must have an approach based on ecosystems”, she replied.
The Netherlands also said that it was waiting for scientific advice expected in the coming weeks before settling its position on the fishing opportunities (2027) that will be negotiated at the end of 2026 within the EU Council. The Dutch minister nevertheless acknowledged that “no country should be penalised” and that all Member States were facing difficulties in their fisheries sector.
At the final press conference, Costas Kadis noted that the ‘The Hague preferences’ stemmed from a decision taken by Member States, and not directly as a result of the CFP Regulation. He acknowledged that the situation facing Ireland was quite specific, especially because of the challenges faced by its sector after Brexit. “If targeted amendments to the CFP Regulation are envisaged, they will also have to take account of the specific difficulties facing the Irish sector”, he concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)