European fishing industry representative body Europêche said it met with E.U. member states and fisheries attachés to push for a clearer pathway to deliver on the European Commission’s Vision for Fisheries 2040.
The commission unveiled Vision 2040 in late October. The proposal is a 15-year strategy for the E.U. fisheries and aquaculture sector, outlining a range of different plans for everything from improved food security to access to finance.
Europêche said its discussions highlighted that that vision “lacks a clear path for delivery,” and that legislative work is still needed to turn the policy goals included in it into a reality. They also renewed calls to revise the Common Fisheries Policy, which the trade body said is still not being included in the European Commission’s 2027 Work Program.
“The current legislative framework has not delivered the results promised to the sector. We were told that compliance with E.U. rules would allow fisheries to prosper,” Europêche Vice-President Tim Heddema said. “Despite the best efforts of fishing businesses and governments, that promise has not been fulfilled.”
Europêche has proposed a targeted revision of the bloc’s Landing Obligation, claiming a decade of following the regulations has failed to benefit the industry, and that they have shortcomings that have lead to unworkable situations for certain fisheries. The trade body said it urged the council to consider asking for the European Commission to institute targeted reform of the CFP.
The organization said it advocated for simpler rules governing the E.U.’s external fishing fleet and for the “timely transposition” of regional fishery management organization (RFMO) decisions into E.U. law.
“In this regard, Europêche voiced serious concern over the planning of negotiations on the EU–Mauritania fisheries agreement and the continued lack of solutions,” it said. “It also stressed that implementing the BBNJ Agreement must be taken as priority and respect the role of RFMOs.”
The trade body also said it pushed for the E.U. to defend its current fishing rights in negotiations with the U.K., Norway, and other coastal states, and that fair-sharing arrangements are still needed for small pelagics.
“The E.U. must not reward unilateral overfishing by allowing it to create new quota shares,” Europêche said.
Outside the criticisms, Europêche said it praised several efforts by the commission, including its work on Baltic fishing opportunities, and opportunities in the Atlantic. It also endorsed the European Council’s position on the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, and urged fishing days “reflect fishers’ technical measures and gear upgrades, opposed basing effort reductions solely on the most vulnerable stock, and reiterated its call for an annual average of at least 180 fishing days per vessel, in line with the European Parliament’s position.”
GFCM recently adopted 11 binding recommendations and two resolutions aimed at strengthening the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in the waters it governs.
