With fishermen heading back to sea after the month-long closure of fishing grounds in the Bay of Biscay to most fishing methods, France’s National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM) wants clarity on compansation.
The closure ended at midnight on 20th February, with fishing vessels over 8m able to resume fishing activities.
CNPMEM has been vocal in its criticism of the French authorities for dragging their heels in confirming compensation. There is also concern that there could be further closures.
‘The Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion has committed to prioritising and simplifying procedures so that the first payments take place at the beginning of March. We expect these commitments to be kept,’ CNPMEM president Olivier Le Nézet said, commenting that there is a need to plan ahead to cope with catastrophic financial outcomes.
‘The first figures say it all – down 48% in volume, and down 57% in value for the first three weeks at the Atlantic auctions affected by the order of December 22, 2023.’
CNPMEM aims to appeal to the Council of State and hopes that the French government will play its part in this.
‘This is very clearly an statement –or not – of its ambition to support the secto , and not empty words.’
According to CNPMEM; the only way forward for the Bay of Biscay is to implement a real sustainable development policy to reconcile the preservation of biodiversity with the economic and social sustainability of the fishing industry.
‘As such, CNPMEM will continue to be proactive in this search for solutions. We can’t give in to the relentless attacks of a few activists who are neither interested in scientific advice nor in the future of our businesses. They are searching for technical devices to reduce accidental catches by all means!’
Olivier Le Nézet commented that this is a top priority for CNPMEM, as the financial, social and moral impact on the industry is colossal.
‘We will not tolerate repeated closures. We must get to work immediately with the State and all stakeholders to avoid a lose-lose situation. The future of fishing cannot be decided in the courts, it must be done around real consultation which takes into account the three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, the social and the economy,’ he said.
‘We are not giving up: the solution is to test and find effective systems to reduce accidental captures of marine mammals. Let us have the courage not to give in to the propaganda and disinformation of a few activists.’
