MEPs have given a mixed response to a new EU multiannual plan designed to prevent overfishing in the North Sea. In a vote on Tuesday at the monthly plenary in Strasbourg, members voted on the trialogue outcome on the multiannual management plan for the North Sea.
While the common fisheries policy (CFP) sets an upper limit to fishing intensity (known as F-MSY), the North Sea plan allows fishing at higher levels than allowed under the basic regulation.
The North Sea plan, which was passed by a large majority in Parliament, is expected to come into force this summer. It sets limits on fishing quotas to avoid them exceeding levels regarded as sustainable by the latest scientific research.
The plan under the new CFP - approved by 520 votes to 131, with nine abstentions - will regulate the management of fishing for demersal species - those living near the bottom of the sea - which account for 70 per cent of catches in the North Sea.
A Parliament source said, “The complexity of North Sea mixed fisheries makes it impossible to target and catch only one species and the plan is tailored to reflect this, partly by covering different stocks. The long-term sustainable exploitation of these stocks should guarantee the security of fishing stocks and the livelihoods of fishing communities.”
The new rules will set the ranges (minimum-maximum) within which EU ministers can set the yearly total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas; allow new scientific evidence to be quickly taken on board when fixing quotas; suspend and/or reduce fishing for one particular stock when scientific advice indicates a stock is in danger, and base all measures on the “best available scientific advice”.
MEPs added a new article stating that “where stocks of common interest are also exploited by third countries, the Union shall engage with those third countries with a view to ensuring that these stocks are managed in a sustainable manner”.
Reaction to the vote from MEPs, though, was mixed.
It was welcomed by Ulrike Rodust, Parliament’s rapporteur on the file, who said, “It was important to establish a basis for managing the North Sea fisheries, given the Brexit negotiations. This basis was possible only through compromises - both between the political groups within this House and between the Parliament and the Council.
“Regarding relations with third countries, the plan now stipulates that in agreements on stocks of common interest, CFP rules should take precedence. This already applies to stocks shared with Norway, but will soon apply to those shared with the UK, too.”
ECR group deputy Nosheena Mobarik was also enthusiastic, saying the plan “provided greater certainty for fishermen,” and adding, “The North Sea is one of our key fishing grounds and we must protect it from overexploitation if we are to safeguard the futures of our fishermen and coastal communities.
“The North Sea Plan helps achieve that. Scientists estimate that if properly managed an additional 1.45 million tonnes of fish could be taken from the North Sea on a sustainable basis within a decade, showing that conservation and economic prosperity can, and must, go hand-in-hand.
“Consumers increasingly want to know that the fish they buy is from sustainable sources. These measures will reassure them.”
The main commercial species in the North Sea include cod, sole, haddock, whiting, plaice, saithe and prawns. In 2015 landings were worth more than €200m.
However, the decision was condemned by the Greens/EFA group, which said the Commission and the Council used a “dubious interpretation” of the limits.
The group said this will “result in fishing in excess of sustainable levels, and at odds with the provisions of the CFP.”
Greens/EFA group fishing policy spokesperson Linnéa Engström said, “This is a complete abdication of responsibility. The CFP sets out much-needed limits on fishing intensity. But as long as the Council and Commission treat these ceilings as a negotiable extra, they will be meaningless.
“We will continue to push for sensible limits for fishing. Ultimately, it is only restraint that can safeguard fish stocks and secure the economic future of the communities dependent upon them.”
On Wednesday, the Parliament will also vote on a report from Engström, setting out proposals for controls to EU fish imports. The report calls for all imported products to comply with EU conservation and management standards and for much greater focus on the social, economic and environmental impact of fishing in free trade agreements.
Ahead of the vote Engström said, “We have set out a number of concrete steps that the EU can take to raise the standards that imported fish must meet, thereby helping to raise standards globally, give consumers greater confidence and guarantee a fair deal for the EU fishing industry. The sheer volume of fish imported into the EU gives it tremendous clout and we must use this market power to drive up standards across the globe.”