Fisheries Guides

EU fight against illegal fishing by EUbusiness — last modified 15 November 2012, 13:30 CET

The European Commission has stepped up its action to fight illegal fishing worldwide by warning eight third countries that they risk being identified as countries it considers non-cooperative in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The countries in question are Belize, Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo and Vanuatu. Today's decision is the first of its kind and it highlights that these countries are not doing enough to fight illegal fishing. It identifies concrete shortcomings, such as lack of dialogue or lack of actions to address deficiencies in monitoring, controlling and surveillance of fisheries, and suggests corrective actions to resolve them. The decision will not, at this stage, entail any measures affecting trade. The eight countries have been notified and given a reasonable time to respond and take measures to rectify the situation. The Commission has also proposed an action plan for each country. Should the situation not improve, the EU could take further steps, which could entail trade measures such as a ban on selling fisheries products to the EU.

Map of fishing areas in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 11 October 2012, 12:49 CET

There are seven Regional Advisory Councils under the CFP. Five are based on geographically and biologically coherent zones. The two others are based on the exploitation of certain stocks: pelagic stocks in Community waters (except in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas), and high-sea fisheries outside Community waters.

Fish-friendly laundry and dishwasher detergents - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 15 December 2011, 00:01 CET

Washing powders and dishwasher detergents will need to be almost phosphate-free in future, following a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday. The measures aim to protect aquatic life in waterways and seas around the EU.

European Fund for the EU's Maritime and Fisheries Policies - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 02 December 2011, 22:56 CET

The European Commission has proposed a new fund for the EU's maritime and fisheries policies for the period 2014-2020: the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The Fund will help deliver the ambitious objectives of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and will help fishermen in the transition towards sustainable fishing, as well as coastal communities in the diversification of their economies. The fund will finance projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts. Red tape will be cut so that beneficiaries have easy access to financing.

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 14 July 2011, 11:36 CET

The overall objective of the European Commission's proposals for a modern and simpler Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is to make fishing sustainable - environmentally, economically and socially. The new policy will bring fish stocks back to sustainable levels by ending overfishing and setting fishing opportunities based on scientific advice. It will provide EU citizens with a stable, secure and healthy food supply for the long term; it seeks to bring new prosperity to the fishing sector, end dependence on subsidies and create new opportunities for jobs and growth in coastal areas.

New EU fisheries control rules - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 12 April 2011, 18:40 CET

Getting away with fishing illegally will become much more difficult for fishermen, as the EU's new system for fisheries control is now fully operational. With the adoption of detailed rules on how to carry out controls throughout the market chain "from net to plate", the EU now has the means to break with the past and establish a real culture of compliance to stop overfishing and help make EU fisheries truly sustainable. The new system ensures traceability throughout the whole chain from the time when the fish is caught until it reaches the consumer. Member states' authorities can spot wrongdoings at any point in the market chain, and trace them back to the culprit. Inspections will be done in the same way all over Europe. Data are collected and cross-checked electronically. And once the product reaches the stores, the consumer will know it has been fished legally. If someone breaks the law, they will face equally severe sanctions wherever they are and whatever their nationality. And if they are repeatedly caught fishing illegally, thanks to a new point system they will end up losing their licence.

EC fishing opportunities proposal for 2011 - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 11 November 2010, 21:27 CET

The European Commission has adopted its fishing opportunities proposal for 2011 setting levels of total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing effort for the Atlantic, the North Sea, and international waters regulated by a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. The proposal is based on scientific advice about the quantities of fish that can be caught sustainably. The Commission has discussed working methods with Member States and stakeholders and has taken into account their advice, while being consistent with the objective of achieving maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2015.

The Mediterranean Fisheries Regulation - Briefing by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 June 2010, 23:46 CET

The 'Mediterranean Regulation,' adopted by the EU in 2006, aims to improve fisheries management in order to achieve sustainable fisheries, protect the fragile marine environment and restore fish stocks to healthy levels. It applies to EU member states around the Mediterranean. The Regulation is fully in force as of 1 June 2010 but Member States so far have largely failed to take all necessary measures to ensure full implementation.

Entry into force of new system to better control fisheries and fight against illegal fishing - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 12 January 2010, 00:10 CET

On 1 January 2010, a set of new, strong rules will enter into force to bolster the control system of the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy. These rules will give the EU and its Member States new and powerful tools not only to protect the resources of our seas and oceans from unscrupulous operators, but also to protect the livelihoods of honest fishermen who would otherwise be exposed to unfair competition. With no preferential treatment from one country to another and no real temptation to cheat, because offenders will not be allowed to get away scot-free, the new system will enable fishermen to ply their trade under the same conditions, thus promoting a culture of compliance throughout the fisheries sector.

Community action plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 December 2009, 14:16 CET

This communication from the European Commission establishes an action plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean.

Policy Coherence for Development by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 October 2009, 22:28 CET

When exploring ways to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the European Union (EU) considers how non-aid policies can assist developing countries in attaining the MDGs. The EU activity in this field is not only a key political commitment in the context of the MDGs, but also has a firm legal basis in the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 178).

Agriculture and Fisheries Council by Ina Dimireva — last modified 25 September 2009, 23:04 CET

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council is, together with the General Affairs and External Relations Council and the Ecofin Council, one of the Council's oldest configurations. It brings together once a month the Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries and the European Commissioners responsible for agriculture and rural development, fisheries and maritime affairs, as well as consumer health and protection.

EU aquaculture - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 23 June 2009, 15:40 CET

Aquaculture in the European Union - questions and answers covering EU aid for fish farming; specific regulations on aquaculture; legislation relating to fish farming and the environment; and EU policy towards the development of aquaculture.

Green Paper on the future of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 22 April 2009, 22:46 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Green Paper on the future of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The paper analyses the shortcomings of the current Policy and launches a broad public consultation on how these shortcomings should be tackled. Fishermen and other interested parties from the sector, but also scientists, civil society and interested citizens, are invited to respond and have their say until 31 December 2009 on the future face of European fisheries. The consultation is the first step of the process which should bring about a radical reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

European Commission Action plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 05 February 2009, 17:08 CET

The European Commission has adopted the first ever EU Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks. The aim of the plan is to ensure that effective steps are taken to help rebuild shark stocks wherever they are under threat, if necessary on a precautionary basis, and to set down guidelines for the sustainable management of the fisheries concerned, including those where shark are taken as by-catch. The plan also includes measures to improve scientific knowledge of shark stocks and shark fisheries. The measures set out cover not only sharks, but also related species, such as skates and rays, and will apply wherever the EU fleet operates, both within and outside European waters. The Commission is also committed to working to ensure that the EU's action in international bodies and agreements is coherent with its policy on sharks at home.

ICCAT revised recovery plan for bluefin tuna - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 25 November 2008, 16:04 CET

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) meeting in Marrakech, Morocco reached consensus on 25 November on a plan to strengthen decisively the fifteen-year recovery plan for Eastern bluefin tuna, to protect endangered porbeagles in the Atlantic and to reduce the fishing season on Mediterranean swordfish.

EU package to tackle fuel crisis in the fisheries sector - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 08 July 2008, 18:31 CET

The European Commission adopted on 8 July an emergency package of measures to tackle the fuel crisis in the fisheries sector, as announced on 17 June. As foreseen, the package consists primarily of a proposal for a Council regulation instituting an ad hoc special, temporary regime which will derogate from some provisions of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) regulation for a limited period (up to the end of 2010). The proposed regulation is accompanied by a Communication outlining the Commission's analysis of the current economic crisis, the principles which should guide action at the EU level, and the nature and rationale of the specific actions proposed.

European Commission 2008 fishing possibilities - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 29 November 2007, 01:14 CET

The European Commission on 28 November 2007 tabled its annual proposal on fishing possibilities and attendant measures for 2008. This proposal takes account of the latest independent scientific advice on the state of fish stocks received in October from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the Commission’s own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF), and input from stakeholders. It also applies the approach already outlined in the Commission's Policy Statement which was published in June, and has since been the subject of consultations with stakeholders (IP/07/773). The Commission views fisheries management as a long-term process, based on the analysis of long-term trends in the health of fish stocks. As this year's policy statement made clear, there is still a long way to go if we are to achieve the aims of the Common Fisheries Policy, namely fisheries which are sustainable for the long-term in economic, social and biological terms. The Commission is therefore proposing further cuts in effort and/or Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in a number of fisheries, while generally respecting the rule that inter-annual variations should be limited to 15% increase or decrease, so as to provide a degree of stability for stakeholders. However, in a number of cases, scientists have warned that the situation is sufficiently urgent that even larger cuts in fishing opportunities are required. The Commission's proposal will be debated by the Council of Fisheries Ministers when they meet on 17-19 December.

European aquaculture debate - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 15 November 2007, 14:18 CET

On 14 and 15 November 2007 the European Commission hosted a major conference in Brussels on "European Aquaculture and its Opportunities for Development". The purpose of the conference was to advance the debate on the sustainable development of European aquaculture, and in particular to examine the role that public authorities can and should play in this context. Around 200 delegates attended, including professionals from a number of sectors, representatives of national and regional authorities, scientists, NGOs and other stakeholders. The priorities identified in a recent consultation process will guide the future review of the existing strategy on sustainable aquaculture in Europe.

Destructive Fishing Practices by EUbusiness — last modified 17 October 2007, 12:56 CET

The European Commission tabled on 17 October 2007 a strategy for the protection of vulnerable deep sea ecosystems from destructive fishing practices. It also adopted a proposal for a legal ban on the use of harmful bottom gear from the high sea areas concerned. This initiative is fully in line with the recommendations issued by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last December. In today's Communication the Commission outlines the initiatives that the EU will take to strengthen international action in the UN, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and relevant international conventions to protect vulnerable marine habitats. For high sea areas not yet covered by RFMOs, the Commission proposes an innovative scheme that will require fishermen to obtain authorisation to operate in a defined area prior to starting their fishing campaign. These fishing permits may be issued by the Member State concerned only if it has been ascertained that the planned fishing activities will not have significant adverse impact on fragile habitats. In addition, fishing at depths of more than 1,000 metres would also be prohibited to EU vessels. These initiatives to protect fragile ecosystems on the high seas form part of the proposed EU integrated Maritime Policy aimed at ensuring the sustainable use of the oceans and seas.