In order to end discarding in EU waters the Fisheries of European Union is considering reformation of EU’s fishing industry by giving vessels quota shares guaranteed for periods of at least 15 years. The commission will issue a proposal on reforming the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in July, to take effect in 2013.
Reports in media discussed that some environmentalists describe as “virtual privatisation of the oceans”. Final decisions on fishing quotas will stay with politicians, not scientists. One of the central planks of the proposed reforms is to eliminate discards, by switching to quota systems based on how many fish are landed in port rather than how many are caught.
But according to Markus Knigge of the Pew Environment Group, fish stocks are a public resource, and this is the virtual privatisation of the oceans. Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, suggested some of the ideals were too lofty. He added the scientists are telling everybody that MSY for all stocks at all times is an impossibility, and certainly by 2015.
He is also concerned that centrally determined rules will be imposed across EU waters without taking account of local needs and practices. Boris Worm, a noted fisheries scientist from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, said stronger systems did exist elsewhere that the EU could adopt.
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has previously said she was impressed by the scale of public opposition to discards across the EU, with more than half a million people signing a petition publicised by UK “celebrity chef” Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. She said that the draft proposal envisages phasing in a complete discard ban, obliging vessels to “record and land” all catches.
The commission’s draft is currently being discussed by EU member states and European parliamentarians, and to a certain extent by stakeholders including fishermen and conservation groups.
