The 13th, 14th and 15th of December 2010 were important days for the future of fisheries in the European Union. After two days of ministerial negotiations, all EU Member States were able to come to an agreement with the Commission on the most effective way to secure a sustainable future for our fisheries sector.  I came to this Council with a clear goal in mind: to do everything necessary in order to secure sustainable fishing stocks for the future. To be successful in this respect, highlighting the necessity of heeding to the scientific advice for fish stocks, was paramount.

Therefore, I outlined three red lines which were not to be crossed. First, to agree fishing levels which will contribute to bring all European Union Fisheries in line with the Maximum Sustainable Yield, that is to say the largest catch allowable from a species’ stock, by 2015. Second, to respect in any case the implementation of long-term management plans for both fish quotas and fishing effort. Third, to avoid decisions which weaken sustainability in managing vulnerable fish stocks.

The rigorous negotiations in Council proved to be fruitful.  These lines were respected.

More specific agreements were reached regarding the Total Allowable Catches and fishing efforts. The Council agreed that the overall quantity of fish caught in the North Sea and North Atlantic must be reduced, especially certain overfished species such as North Sea cod and Irish herring. Similarly, reductions in the Black Sea must also materialise, for turbot and sprat stocks. Sharks, especially, but also other stocks with lengthy reproduction cycles were very well protected in this agreement.  Where none or very little scientific advice is available, the Council generally agreed to take precautionary measures. Having said this, where scientific advice would allow for some flexibility, the Commission was able to satisfy Member States’ requests and respect the efforts of the fisheries sector to cope with economic crisis.

However, this is not the end. The Council agreements are a positive sign for 2011, but we must make sure they are respected. Control and enforcement issues will be important. Great importance must also be placed on solving the problem of discards, where fishermen throw unwanted by-catch back into the sea.

In order to truly make a difference and effect long-term change, the Common Fisheries Policy must also be reformed – this shall be my priority for the coming year. Aside from a heavy emphasis on sustainability in accordance with the EU 2020 strategy, the new CFP will also focus on simplification and regionalisation.

In times of economic crisis and austerity, these measures might seem tough, but we cannot afford to do otherwise. To ensure a profitable fishing sector and healthy stocks, we must heed to the scientific advice and where it does not exist act on the side of caution. We cannot lose sight of the bigger picture. Sacrifices must be made by all of us in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of our fish stocks and provide the fishing sector with jobs and livelihoods.

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Tags: CFP, Council, Discards, fishing, sustainability