Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 3 • Number 1 • 23rd January 2003
EU MINISTERS ADOPT COMMON FISHERIES POLICY, SET FISHING QUOTAS
EU MINISTERS ADOPT COMMON FISHERIES POLICY, SET FISHING QUOTAS
After five days of intensive discussions at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 16-19 December (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 20 December 2003), Ministers adopted the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which aims to respond to concerns over depleted fish stocks, overcapacity of the European fishing fleet, insufficient control mechanisms and limited stakeholder involvement. The Ministers furthermore finalised fishing quotas for 2003, including substantial reduction for a number of threatened stocks.
Ministers agree on CFP reform
The reformed CFP, which entered into force on 1 January 2003, replaced the basic rules governing the Community’s policy since 1993. Under the reformed CFP, the objectives have been reviewed to focus more on the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources based on sound scientific advice and on the precautionary approach to fisheries, as well as on sustainable aquaculture. Specifically, the Policy takes a more long-term approach to fisheries management by setting multi-annual recovery plans for stocks outside safe biological limits. The Commission can take emergency measures in cases of serious threat to the conservation of resources, while member states are allowed to adopt conservation and management measures applicable to all fishing vessels within their 12-mile zones. To tackle the overcapacity of the European fishing fleet, aid for the renewal of fishing vessels is being phased out and will only be available for two more years (up to the end of 2004).
The reformed Policy furthermore strengthens control and enforcement, inter alia, by reinforcing cooperation between member states so that each state can control vessels flying its flag throughout Community waters, except in the 12-mile zones of another member state. Regarding the involvement of stakeholders, the Council will establish Regional Advisory Councils, made up of fishermen, scientists and representatives of other interest groups, including the fisheries and aquaculture sector and environmental and consumer groups, which can submit recommendations and suggestions or inform the Commission or the respective member state of problems concerning the implementation of the CFP in their area.
In addition to the reformed CFP, Ministers also established an emergency fund to encourage the decommissioning of vessels (the so-called "Scrapping Fund").
While the environmental group WWF welcomed the decision to phase out subsidies to build new boats by 2004 as "a step in the right direction", they pointed out that the recovery plans for threatened stocks envisaged in the reformed Policy would be "senseless" if they were not accompanied by an obligation to reduce fishing effort. The group also criticised the Policy for not making multi-annual management plans obligatory for stocks other than those that are already threatened. "WWF fears this is the death sentence for cod, " said Karl Wagner, Director of WWF’s Fisheries Campaign. WWF noted as well that the European Commission had yet to come forward with proposals for improving fishing deals with developing countries, which the organisation believes is an essential element of CFP reform.
EU fishing quotas set for 2003
Following long and difficult talks on fishing quotas for 2003, EU Ministers reached an agreement that involves cutting cod catches back by 45 percent compared to 2002 levels. The compromise deal includes urgent recovery measures for cod, 2003 quotas for cod and other fish stocks, and reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Scientists had recommended a full fishing ban in order to preserve cod stocks for the future, while fishermen and nations with significant fishing fleets were seeking to save jobs and safeguard coastal economies and communities. Environmental groups say the current agreement is insufficient to save the cod. Germany and Sweden voted against the agreement on the same grounds. Fishermen’s organisations said the cuts would devastate their economies. Scottish fishermen stressed that large concessions were made to southern EU states, while the UK fleet was hit hard by the agreement. In addition to the cod quota, hake quotas were also set at 45 percent of the 2002 catch. Fishing will only be allowed for 15 days per month, and subsidies for building new fishing vessels will be gradually phased out.
Additional Resources
For further details on the outcomes of the Fisheries Council and the reformed CFP, see http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf02_61_en.htm.
"EU fisheries ministers reach deal on 2003 quotas," REUTERS, 23 December 2002; "Outcome of the Fisheries Council of 16-20 December 2002," EU PRESS RELEASE, 23 December 2002.