Fisheries Guides

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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.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) by EUbusiness — last modified 17 October 2007, 13:01 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.

Eliminating discards in EU fisheries: Questions and Answers by EUbusiness — last modified 28 March 2007, 15:30 CET

The EU is looking to reduce unwanted catches and eliminate discards in European fisheries. Discarding is the practice of dumping overboard unwanted fish or other marine organisms which have been caught unintentionally.

EU Fisheries Policy by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 21:25 CET

The EU fishing industry is a major source of employment and food. It is therefore important to prevent over-fishing by some to the detriment of all. The European Union has a common fisheries policy (CFP) in order to manage the industry for the benefit of both fishing communities and consumers.