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Reform of the common fisheries policy - overarching communication

2011/2290(INI)

PURPOSE: presentation of a Commission communication on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

BACKGROUND: the 2009 Green Paper on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) concluded that the policy is not achieving its key objectives: (i) fish stocks are overfished, the economic situation of

parts of the fleet is fragile despite receiving high levels of subsidies; (ii) jobs in the fishing sector are unattractive; (iii) and the situation of many coastal communities depending on fisheries is precarious.

Against this background, the Commission is proposing an ambitious reform of the policy. This reform is about putting in place the conditions for a better future for fish and fisheries alike, as well as the marine environment that supports them.

Sustainability is at the heart of the proposed reform. According to best estimates5, if stocks were exploited at maximum sustainable yield, this would increase stock sizes by about 70%. Overall catches would increase by around 17%, profit margins could be multiplied by a factor of three, return on investments would be six times higher, and the gross value-added for the catching industry would rise by almost 90%.

According to best estimates, if stocks were exploited at maximum sustainable yield, this would increase stock sizes by about 70%. Overall catches would increase by around 17%, profit margins could be multiplied by a factor of three, return on investments would be six times higher, and the gross value-added for the catching industry would rise by almost 90%.

Fishing sustainably would free the catching sector from depending on public support. It would also make it easier to achieve stable prices under transparent conditions, bringing clear benefits for consumers. Fishing sustainably is essential for the future of coastal communities, which in some cases will need specific measures to help manage their small-scale coastal fleets. The Commission proposes to develop the CFP as part of the broader maritime economy.

The CFP reform package consists of the following components:

In the context of the Multi-annual Financial Framework and the Financial Perspectives, the Commission has scheduled a legislative proposal for the future financial instrument 2014-2020 in support of the CFP for adoption later in 2011.

CONTENT: a summary of new measures proposed in the CFP reform package is as follows:

Conservation and sustainability

  • maximum Sustainable Yield as conservation target with deadline (2015);
  • elimination of discards through landing obligation and necessary management rules with timeline for introduction;
  • multi-annual plans focused on essential objectives, targets, boundaries and time frames, based on the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management;
  • authorisation for Member States to take measures under EU law on multi-annual plans and technical conservation measures;
  • fast-track procedures to adopt fisheries measures needed under environmental management (Natura 2000).

Data and Science

  • obligation for Member States to collect and provide data, and to prepare (regional) multiannual data collection programmes;
  • national fisheries research programmes with regional coordination among Member States.

Access to resources and fleet capacity

  • transferable fishing concessions mandatory for large-scale fleets — with transferability at national level;
  • moving away from fleet-related subsidies.

Aquaculture

  • National strategic plans 2014-2020 on promotion of aquaculture;
  • set up of a new Advisory Council for Aquaculture.

Market policy

  • empowerment of Producers Organisations and Inter-branch Organisations to increase their role and responsibility on production and marketing planning with emphasis in sustainable fishery resource management and reducing the impact of the aquaculture activities;
  • modification of intervention regime, by setting up one single intervention mechanism for storage;
  • fixing intervention prices at decentralised and adequate level;
  • strengthened consumer information and review of marketing standards.

Governance

  • expand the role of Advisory Councils in the implementation of the CFP at regional level;
  • new approach to stakeholder involvement on horizontal issues not covered by the Advisory Councils.

Financial instrument

  • full alignment with the Europe 2020 Strategy;
  • conditionality provisions on compliance with the rules — both applicable to Member States and to individual operators.

External dimension

  • Regional Fisheries Management Organisations — enhanced EU involvement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations to strengthen science, control and compliance within these fora in order to improve their performance;
  • Multilateral level — joint actions with EU’s most important partners aimed at combating IUU fishery and reducing overcapacity;
  • better coherence between EU fisheries, development, trade and environment policies;
  • sustainable Fisheries Agreements — enhanced science base and clear identification of surplus resources in partner countries to ensure sustainable fishing practices in these countries by our fleet;
  • larger financial contribution by industry and establishment of a high-quality governance framework. Human rights clause should be included in all future agreements.