After five years of tough negotiations, new fisheries control rules are hot off the press and MEPs will have to decide next week whether or not to endorse the text. The sector represented by Europêche and EAPO, finds positives in the text such as stronger provisions on traceability to ensure that imported and processed products have the same traceability requirements as EU produced seafood. Also, both organisations welcome the adoption of specific margins of tolerance for small-pelagic and tropical tuna species. These new rules will better account for the specificities of these fisheries when reporting their catches and will help to avoid unfair sanctions and penalty points they are receiving due to the impossibility of complying with previous generalist rules. The new text also strengthens the monitoring of recreational fisheries to better evaluate and control its impact on commercial fish stocks.

However, the regulation imposes burdensome and costly technological demands on fishers. The sector regrets that, rather than working to make the landing obligation workable, the common decision was to double down on enforcing and controlling an unapplicable piece of legislation. The mandatory roll-out of CCTV will not suddenly make the landing obligation regime workable nor will it prevent unwanted catches from reaching the fishing nets. Same rationale applies to the mandatory introduction of engine power monitoring devices for certain vessels.

In this context, Europêche and EAPO request clarity on the methodology to be used at EU and national level to implement these new digital tools, particularly on how the risk-based approach will work in practice. Likewise, industry representatives demand their involvement in the policy implementation process to ensure a pragmatic and feasible approach.

The challenge to ensure equal and harmonized implementation of the new rules and requirements across EU Member states is not clearly addressed in the new proposed regulation, and neither is the interoperability of the data systems and technologies that EU countries can use under the new regime.

When the new regulation is implemented in the EU, Europêche and EAPO call for the extension of these rules and devices (including CCTV and engine monitoring devices) to the non-EU fleets operating in EU waters, in line with the Regulation on Sustainable Management of External Fishing Fleets (See article 38.1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2403), and to avoid any exemption to be granted under trade or fisheries agreements.

Similarly, in order to keep coherence between the internal and external dimension of the CFP, the EU should seek to implement these rules in international waters. For that purpose, the EU should use Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and fisheries agreements with third countries to try to level the playing field for all fleets.

The sector welcomes the harmonization of the enforcement regime but reminds the importance of having proportionality when it comes to sanctions to ensure that fishers do not pay the price twice.

Finally, EAPO and Europêche call for a level playing field when it comes to weighing plans, since the differences in implementation between Member States is detrimental to EU vessels landing in other member States.

Press contacts:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 489 26 81 07 daniel.voces@europeche.org

Paul Thomas, Policy Officer of EAPO: +32 470 41 78 38 paul.thomas@eapo.com  

EP and EAPO Press Release – Control Regulation

The EU needs to use the right tool for every job. Reformed a decade ago, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has been extremely efficient in rebuilding fish populations. Fish populations have been increasing significantly, with fish stocks reaching in 2018 abundance levels 50% higher than in 2010. Likewise, in 2020, the overall fishing pressure in the North East Atlantic bottomed at a record low. But the CFP is not and cannot be just a tool for fish stocks’ protection. It should be a broader policy encompassing objectives to solve the new geopolitical, climate and governance challenges. The reality is that the current CFP does not mention major societal concerns such as ‘climate change’, ‘Brexit’, ‘Green deal’ or ‘energy crisis’. It does neither address the impacts of the growing number of marine protected areas, the massive expansion of offshore renewable energy sites, food security and energy transition. Not to mention the need to reform ill-conceived policies such as the landing obligation or to address the missing social dimension of the CFP.  

Today, the European Commission has unveiled its long-awaited policy package consisting of 4 main documents: an evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy, an assessment of the common organization of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, an Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries and a strategy for the energy transition of EU’s fisheries sector. In its thorough analysis, the Commission attempts to highlight those areas where more needs to be done or where the current situation requires more attention, in order to draw political conclusions and to prepare legislative proposals at a later stage.

Javier Garat, President of Europêche appreciated the effort made by the European Commission in analyzing the performance and effectiveness of the main EU fisheries policies. He stated: “Identifying the gaps and shortfalls of current policy tools is a necessary step to take the right decisions. We celebrate the success of the CFP in delivering sustainable fisheries. However, we are facing rapid changes and global challenges that require to activate the legislative machinery as a matter of urgency. The CFP is 40 years old and the latest reform dates back 10 years. In light of the huge developments of past few years, the priorities and tools of the current CFP are obsolete. It was designed for a scenario preceding the Covid pandemic, the energy crisis, Brexit and the recovery of EU fish stocks. Better implementation of outdated rules is not an option, a revision is a must.” 

As regards main fisheries trends, the EU is increasingly dependent on seafood products imported from 3^rd countries (70% of total EU-seafood consumption), while reducing its fishing capacity (20% of the fleet or otherwise said 20.000 fishing vessels less than in 2008) and losing access to fishing grounds in third countries. Garat commented: “Before triggering action plans that further reduce EU seafood production, the EU needs to have a strategic vision on future ocean governance and management. It feels like the Commission is putting the cart before the horses. He continued,  “We remind the Commissioner of his commitment to keep a balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability, not just the biological dimension, and to address gaps in the social dimension of the CFP. We would have expected strong action to develop fisheries policies in that direction, such as the redefinition of fishing capacity to enable the improvement of working conditions, safety and energy efficiency.” 

Europêche regrets the fact that, while showing no intention of reforming the CFP, the Commission is undermining this primary fisheries legislation by proposing secondary environmental legislation (e.g., the nature restoration law) and political action plans that have a huge impact on the activity governed by the CFP basic regulation. Garat concluded: “In fishing we have reached a point where protection is synonymous with exclusion. We must try to make environmental protection compatible with human activity and in particular with the much-needed production of (sea)food. Trying to convert our seas in marine sanctuaries would cost the world far more in deforestation and biodiversity loss than by fishing. Seafood is the healthiest and most environmentally friendly source of protein on earth. For that reason, Europêche fully subscribes the criticism as formulated by the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) regarding the objective to phase out bottom contacting gears, under the upcoming action plan”.

Press contacts: 

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48 daniel.voces@europeche.org

EP Press Release – CFP Package

Today, the European Commission organized a stakeholder event to take stock of the current EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The President of Europêche, Javier Garat, analysed the progress made, challenges and way forward. In a nutshell, the sector believes that a reform is needed on some core elements such as the landing obligation or the definition of fishing capacity. The CFP must also adapt to new geopolitical and environmental challenges such as climate change but cannot be overridden by environmental legislation.

Adopted in 2013, the CFP amounted to a radical overhaul of the existing fisheries policies. All stakeholders in the event recognized that these resulted in a speedy recovery of fish stocks across Europe, particularly in the Northeast Atlantic. However, sector representatives voiced that this was achieved at the expense of the fleet, who had to face significant job losses, unworkable rules, a global pandemic and energy crisis, threatening fishers to become an “endangered species”.

Europêche regretted that many current and past fisheries policies have been based on emotions and not on science. Clear examples can be found for instance in the landing obligation which was proposed in reaction to a campaign launched by a famous chef in the UK or the current call to ban bottom trawling. He declared: “Our fishers need rational and understandable rules that allow them to remain competitive and innovative. Unapplicable legislation and new radical environmental policies generate mistrust and tension between the sector, public authorities and society. Besides, there are so many rules, that fishers need to be practically lawyers to go fishing. This needs to change now. We have a new window of opportunity to learn from past mistakes and to adapt to future needs and global demands.” In this direction, a scientific panelist recommended to rethink the landing obligation and to perhaps using a different approach to achieve the goal to avoid unwanted catches and eliminate discards.

Europêche reminded that a resilient marine environment is a must, but it is equally important to provide conditions for a thriving sector and food supply, in line with the Treaty of the EU. For all these reasons, Mr Garat stressed that fishers should be at the heart of the CFP. In this context, the sector stressed the need for more and better science, including socioeconomic impact studies on the impact of fisheries policies. Furthermore, fishers called for continued access to their traditional fishing grounds, which are rapidly being taken by new marine activities or intended for marine protection. Garat warned that this trend will put at risk EU food sovereignty.

Garat criticized that under the current CFP, the space on board destined to the kitchen, cabins, toilets or recreational areas are considered as part of the fishing capacity. He argued that this definition should be revised to allow the introduction of new technologies to decarbonize the sector and to improve safety and working conditions, which require more space on board. Thereby the need to find alternative formulas, such as net tonnage, that exclude these habitable spaces when measuring fishing capacity.

Europêche also believes in the need to strengthen the external dimension of the CFP and ocean governance, for which more financial and human resources are needed. In this vein, the sector recalls the importance of fisheries agreements signed with 3^rd countries for the EU fleet and stresses the need to apply the same rules to all vessels operating in international waters to guarantee a level playing field. Europêche equally appreciates the work of the Commission in the fight against illegal fishing globally. Finally, the sector reiterates its call for the recognition of the role of joint ventures in third countries.

Press contacts: 

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48 daniel.voces@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Future CFP

The Plenary vote respected the majority of the compromises found within the European Parliament committee on Fisheries. These agreements will help enhance the traceability of seafood products, digitise tracking and catch reporting across the value chain and harmonise sanctions and enforcement measures across Member States. Europêche welcomes the flexibility provided in terms of timing, scale and bureaucracy thus showing closer ties with the fisheries reality.

Europêche appreciates the flexibility on the estimates recorded in the fishing logbook for each species which are extremely difficult to match with the quantities actually landed. The sector appreciates the introduction of higher margins of tolerance for mixed, small pelagic, tuna and industrial fisheries. According to Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche: “Many have accused fishers of using this measure to under declare fish. These voices neglect the current hefty fines faced by fishers, forget that the quantities reported in the logbook are just estimates and ignore that these estimates could be lower or higher than the actual landings without any malicious intention from the fisher. With or without a margin of tolerance, compliance with a faithful declaration on the fish caught is ensured when contrasted with the weighing on landing and the sales notes.”

Contradicting the position previously adopted in the fisheries committee, the European Parliament adopted by a very slight majority (8 votes difference) the introduction of cameras on board fishing vessels. These will be mandatory for vessels over 12 metres identified as posing a high risk of non-compliance with the landing obligation.

Mr Voces, declared: “Will EU policy-makers agree to install CCTV systems in their own offices to ensure that tax-payers money is well managed, spent and maximized and to guarantee that nobody breaches the Law in their daily activities? We believe the answer is no. Why then fishers, who actually hold an excellent record of compliance? We cannot feel but persecuted and criminalised by an EU that constantly applies a presumption of guilt based on mistrust towards the sector.”

The EU fishing industry is confronted with an ill-conceived policy, the landing obligation, not fit for the EU fisheries reality which EU decision-makers are trying to enforce through intrusive control and monitoring tools. Important fishing nations such as Norway and Iceland, with landing obligation policies in place, are against the use of cameras and yet can perfectly control their fleets’ operations. According to Europêche, this refutes the Commission’s claim that infringements will never be detected without CCTV.

Negotiations with Member states will now follow in the coming months, after which a final decision will be taken.

Press contacts:

Rosalie Tukker, Policy Advisor of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48  rosalie.tukker@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Plenary vote Fisheries Control System