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Friday, March 29, 2024

Sustainable Fisheries: Commission Presents Progress Made and Opportunities for 2020

The European Commission has adopted a Communication, taking stock of the implementation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and launching a consultation on the fishing opportunities for 2020.

The Communication reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to promoting fisheries that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Member States, Advisory Councils, the fishing industry, non-governmental organisations, and interested citizens are invited to express their views on the fishing opportunities in 2020 via a public consultation that launches 11 June.

Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: “This year we see yet again that our persistent action to restore the health of our shared fish resources are bearing fruit. Thanks to the joint efforts of fishermen, industry, authorities and scientists, our fish stocks are recovering, and the earnings of our fishermen are increasing. This is, of course, great news, but it doesn’t mean in any way that our job is done. Next year is a crucial year. All Member States agreed that by 2020 all stocks must be managed sustainably. For this, we need to step up our actions and deliver on what we set out to achieve.”

The EU continues to make progress in attaining sustainable fisheries. More stocks in the North-West Atlantic and adjacent areas are being fished sustainably. The biomass in these areas is 36% higher now than in 2003.

Next year is an important landmark for fisheries in the EU. EU Member States have agreed to bringing commercial fishing pressure to sustainable levels by 2020, in line with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The MSY represents the maximum amount of fish that fishermen can take out of the sea without compromising the regeneration of the stock.  The main objective of the Commission’s proposals for the fishing opportunities for 2020, will be to set fishing opportunities at MSY level for all assessed stocks. In the Western Mediterranean, the Commission’s proposal will follow the newly agreed Multiannual Plan (MAP), which establishes that the fishing effort should be reduced by 10% in the first year of the MAP and sustainability should be achieved by 2025 at the latest.

Healthy stocks result in better economic performance of the EU fleet. The economic performance of the EU fleet has improved, registering record-high net profits of EUR 1.3 billion in 2017. Wages have increased on average with 2.7% per year. Evidence shows that fleets exploiting healthy stocks have positive economic results. This is the case for fleets targeting haddock, megrim and plaice in the Irish Sea, herring, Northern hake, sole in the Eastern and Western English Channel, anglerfish in the Bay of Biscay. These fleets improved their profitability and salaries, while fleets targeting overexploited stocks, tend to perform worse.

Read more at the European Commission

Sustainable Fisheries: Commission Presents Progress Made and Opportunities for 2020 Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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