Brussels, 05/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 5 July, the European Commission adopted a communication on the implementation of the principle of sustainability in EU fisheries to reverse the tendency to decline in stocks. The document offers no new management measures. The EU made a political commitment at the Summit in Johannesburg in September 2002 to maintain or restore stocks to levels that can reproduce the maximum sustainable yield, where possible not later than 2015. The communication translates this commitment to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Commission says that the implementation of the principle of the maximum sustainable yield in the CFP will reverse the tendency to decline in stocks (81% of stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are depleted, according to scientists), improve the economic situation of the fishery, improve the balance of trade (almost 60% of fish eaten in the EU is imported, with the percentage for white fish even higher) and reduce discards and the impact on non-target species.
According to the Commission, there will initially have to be a reduction in catches, then an improvement in the state of the stocks to allow an increase in sustainable catches.
The Commission is not proposing any miracle cures or overhaul of the CFP. Long-term stock management plans, which already exist for some species (cod, sole, hake, langoustines, etc.), are the main instrument for the new approach. The Commission proposes, then, to continue its strategy, following these guiding principles: long-term management plans will include programmed reductions in fishing rates and the management of fishing effort, and, if necessary, technical measures (such as closing some fishing zones or measures on fishing gear); long-term plans should be updated at roughly five-yearly intervals.
During talks on multi-annual management and recovery plans, the Commission says it must be ensured that annual decisions on fishing quotas take account of the Johannesburg commitments. The Commission, therefore, has undertaken that, this year, management decisions which do not lead to an increase in the level of fishing of already depleted stocks will be adopted. It notes that the objective of sustainable fisheries will also lead to a restructuring of the industry and that the new European Fisheries Fund will help to attenuate the social and economic impact of restrictions and measures imposed on the sector.