European Union Common Fisheries Policy Being Reviewed
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union’s instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. The first common measures in the fishing sector date from 1970, when it was agreed that, in principle, EU fishermen should have equal access to Member States’ waters. However, in order to ensure that smaller vessels could continue to fish close to their home ports, a coastal band was reserved for local fishermen who have traditionally fished these areas. Measures were also adopted for a common market in fisheries products. A structural policy was set up to coordinate the modernisation of fishing vessels and on-shore installations.
All these measures became more significant when, in 1976, Member States extended their rights to marine resources from 12 to 200 miles from their coasts, in line with international developments. Member States also decided that the European Union was best placed to manage fisheries in the waters under their jurisdiction and to defend their interests in international negotiations. After years of difficult negotiations the CFP was born in 1983.
Two decades later, the policy underwent a radical reform. The 2002 reform of the CFP aimed at ensuring the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources. The reform introduced a precautionary approach to protect and conserve living aquatic resources, and to minimise the impact of fishing activities on marine ecosystems. The reform aimed to contribute to efficient fishing activities within an economically viable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture industry, providing a fair standard of living for those who depend on fishing activities and taking into account the interests of consumers.
In 2008, the Commission launched a review of the Common Fisheries Policy which will be based on an analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of the current policy, and will look at experiences from other fisheries management systems to identify potential avenues for future action. The review will be led by the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. It will be based on an analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of the current policy, and will look at experiences from other fisheries management systems to identify potential avenues for future action. The analysis and the evaluation of options for a reform will be enriched and validated through targeted consultations with stakeholders and a broad public consultation, which is scheduled for 2009. After the public debate the Commission will develop a proposal to be presented to the Council and the European Parliament with a view to adoption for a reform to be in effect from 2013.
The last two decades have seen growing awareness of modern industrial fisheries. However, much more still needs to be done. Most European fish stocks remain overfished, and the EU fleet still suffers from overcapacity. Catch limits continue to be set significantly higher than scientific advice would recommend, and the industry is economically inefficient, as the recent crisis sparked by rising fuel prices has amply demonstrated. European fisheries are still locked in a vicious downward cycle, in which shrinking resources mean that more and more effort is required to catch the same number of smaller, less valuable fish. As a result, the short-term interests of the industry are no longer aligned with the pre-requirements for the long-term sustainability of the sector.
We hope that the Commission will recognize and address these significant issues during their review process.
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