The decision by French authorities to extend the closure to its own fleet of Bay of Biscay waters to include those under the flags of other EU member states will have far-reaching consequences for the entire EU coastal community, according to the European Association of Fish Producer Organisations (EAPO) and Europêche.
The French decision extends to vessels of over 8 metres in length, and applies to pelagic trawls, demersal pair trawls, trammel and set nets and purse seine gear.
According to EAPO and Europêche this measure is designed to mitigate possible incidental catches of small cetaceans – and has been taken despite the rules of the CFP.
‘How can France unilaterally close its waters to all EU-vessels with no prior consultation, a mere four days prior to the closure and without providing any compensation? France’s rushed use of article 13 exposes the deficiencies within the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and deals a severe blow to European unity that is central to the CFP,’ said EAPO President Esben Sverdrup-Jensen.
The emergency measure affects not only the French fleet but also all European and third country fishing vessels. It is to be enforced from 22nd January to 2th February, based on an order published on the 18th of January.
The key concerns of EAPO and Europêche are that the urgency of this measure is questionable, as is France’s use of Article 13, especially considering the ICES advice and the Commission’s proposal for revising the joint recommendation for winter 2025, which suggests a lack of immediate crisis.
The European organisation state that this undermines European Unity, and by disregarding the minimum consultation period required by Article 13, France is not only disrupting fishing activities but also undermining the essence of European unity and the collaborative framework of the CFP.
They also question the disparity in compensation, pointing out that not all vessels under all flags will have access to compensation unless it is provided by the French government, the decision-maker in this situation.
They also question the calls for the EU Commission’s intervention, stating that while recognising the necessity of equal treatment between flags and the importance of sustainable fishing practices, EAPO and Europêche question the legitimacy of the ’emergency measure’ and its disproportionate impact on the fishing community.
‘While our members remain dedicated to responsible and sustainable fishing, the precedent established by this decision undermines the trust our fishers place in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It is challenging to advocate for consultation, cooperation, proportionality and a bottom-up approach when this decision contradicts those principles,’ said Europêche president Javier Garat.
‘A thorough EU impact assessment and a full review of these decisions is imperative to ensure compliance with the CFP and its safeguards. The Commission, as guardian of the treaties, must step in to secure that EU rules are applied correctly.’
