Europêche and EAPO are calling on EU Member State Ministers to take into account the integrity of European fisheries when deciding on TACs and Quotas for 2017 as the Council of Ministers takes place next week.
In advance of the December Fisheries Council 2016, EAPO and Europêche have issued a joint position paper with general observations and relevant recommendations for 25 stocks to the Council Members.
The fishing industry is calling on the Council of Fisheries Ministers not to take the time table towards Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) as a dogma, but to apply a pragmatic and common sense approach to reaching the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) objectives.
‘We are offering constructive suggestions to modify the unjustifiable measures in the Commission’s proposals on fishing opportunities for key stocks in 2017,’ said EAPO president Pim Visser
‘The Fisheries Ministers should find workable and realistic solutions to avoid the potentially devastating impacts – both biological and economic – some Commission proposals will have on the European fishing industry. Adopting the measures proposed by the Commission without any change is in contradiction with the objectives of the CFP to achieve environmentally sustainable activities in the long-term with economic, social and employment benefits, and contributing to the availability of food supplies.’
In the position paper sent to the Ministers, EAPO and Europêche highlight concerns with the Commission’s management proposals for a list of demersal and pelagic stocks.
‘Considerable progress has been made towards delivering MSY in many of the European fisheries,’ said Europêche president Javier Garat, President of Europêche.
‘The suggestions in our position paper are realistic solutions which remain in line with scientific advice but are much closer to three pillar sustainability objectives enshrined in the CFP.’
The Europêche and EAPO position paper can be found here.
http://europeche.chil.me/download-doc/126790
