More than a month since the European Commission unveiled its plans to severely curtail demersal fisheries with its proposed Action Plan, industry figures came together in Brussels to meet representatives of EU member states to analyse the nature, impact, and consequences of the Commission’s initiative.
While all parties agreed on the need to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems as well as sustainable fisheries, representatives of some Member States voiced their concerns about the proposal to gradually ban bottom fishing in 30% of EU seas by 2030, not least given the lack of socio-economic impact assessment and the necessary underpinning science.
The legal nature, proportionality, and the timeline to implement the measures proposed by the Commission was also questioned by some countries. Member States also put emphasis on the need to guarantee food security at a time where the strategic autonomy of Europe is high on the EU agenda.
Iván López van der Veen, chair of European Bottom Fishing Alliance, commented that the fishing sector, reprersented by EBFA, Europêche, and EAPO, expressed its gratitude to EU governments for the continued dialogue in search of the best way to implement EU regulations and the CFP, identifying ways to effectively protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and feed a growing population whilst reducing our dependency from foreign seafood imports.
‘National authorities have a specific mission and responsibility vis-à-vis their citizens to implement EU rules, secure jobs, and supply the market with sustainable seafood. It is therefore difficult to understand that the European Commission has chosen to adopt an Action Plan, without consulting Member States, despite putting them at the centre of the debate with the fisheries package,’ Iván López said.
He commented that the industry feels that the Action Plan places a heavy and disproportionate burden on the EU fleet, which is still struggling with the consequences of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, inflation, and the energy crisis.
It also places additional stress on Members States that will have to deal with objectives not justified by science and bound to negatively affect entire fishing dependent communities under an unrealistic timetable.
He reminded the meeting that the bottom fishing ban is a completely new objective, not based on any international or European rule, that will not follow the ordinary legislative process.
‘The legal nature of the instrument selected also raises legal questions. Since it is not EU law, citizens and companies, or even Member States, affected have no right to challenge in court the disproportionate impact of the Action Plan, leaving them defenceless. In a nutshell, no consultation, no debate, and no possible legal defence because of the path the Commission selected to bring its proposals forward,’ he said.
‘This approach limits the political debate, the opinion of national administrations, and the European Parliament in the decision-making process. For the sector, it is clear that if there is any change to the Common Fisheries Policy, the Commission must follow the established legislative process – through the Council and the European Parliament.’
