Brussels, 14/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 April, the European Commission adopted a communication on the role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in implementing an ecosystem approach to marine management. European Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg said these measures would reduce fishing activity and protect marine habitats and sensitive species.
The ecosystem approach to the management of the seas cannot and must not be implemented in one single sector in particular; it must be cross-sectoral. The integrated maritime policy provides the general framework for integrated action in the maritime area, and its environmental pillar, the marine strategy framework directive, is the general basis for applying an ecosystem approach to the marine environment. The habitats directive, which requires that networks of protected maritime sites be set up, provides the means for an ecosystem approach to be applied.
Measures adopted until now. The Commission says that reducing fishing pressure to maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels is complemented by a policy seeking to reduce and ultimately to bring an end to by-catches and discards. To protect vulnerable habitats against the harmful effects of fishing, the EU has moved to protect the cold water coral reefs to the west of Ireland.
In the Mediterranean, the use of drag nets and nets towed at depths of over 1,000 metres has been banned to protect coral reefs. Measures have also been adopted to prevent the incidental by-catch of marine mammals (acoustic deterrent devices - “pingers” - on gillnets to keep dolphins at distance).
Sandeel fishing has been closed in areas where sea bird colonies depend on this species.
Several other measures have been taken recently to limit the negative effects of fishing. There has been the ban on the use of nets below 200 metres in some areas, the ban on destructive fishing practices or activities to combat illegal, undeclared and unregulated (IUU) fishing in European and international waters. The Commission also stresses the importance of recovery plans and long-term management plans.
New initiatives. The Commission has announced that legislative measures will be drawn up to reduce by-catches as part of discards policy, and technical measures will be reviewed to take account of damage to habitats and of by-catches.
Two action plans to protect fragile species will be published: one in 2008 to protect sharks and another in 2009 to protect sea birds.
Simplified technical measures in the new regulation to be brought forward in 2008 will improve the selectivity of fishing gear. The European Community will encourage initiatives which promote an ecosystem approach in regional fishing organisations and at the United Nations, and, if necessary, as part of bilateral agreements. Research on the ecosystem approach will be a priority in the 7th research framework programme, and member states are encouraged to use aid under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) for 2007-2013 for measures such as: - improving fisheries knowledge and management; - training fishermen in environmentally friendly practices; - and the development of practices and technologies which have a low impact on the environment.
In its communication, the Commission notes that, at the present moment, “four fifths” of European stocks are under severe pressure. In other words, the activities of most European fishing fleets are too intensive to ensure sustainable fishing, the document says. Environmental factors, of course, have an effect on marine ecosystems and fish stocks. In some cases, fishing can aggravate the negative effects of these factors. The Commission has specifically asked the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to include all the available data on environmental factors in their assessments of ecosystems and fisheries and in their opinions. (L.C.)