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Innovation and diversification in non-industrial coastal fishing in regions dependent on fishing

2015/2090(INI)

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the initiative report by Ruža TOMAŠIĆ (ECR, HR) on innovation and diversification of small-scale coastal fishing in fisheries dependent regions.

Coastal fishing accounts for 80 % of the European fleet. Together with shellfishing, it guarantees a high level of employment in coastal areas, islands and the outermost regions, and generally represents a socially and environmentally sustainable form of fishing that has considerable potential. Coastal fishing is a traditional form of fishing that forms a way of life and a significant source of livelihood.

Specificities of coastal fishing: Members called on the Commission to adapt the definition of coastal, small-scale coastal and traditional fishing in line with the socio-economic characteristics and specificities of the different regions, rather than solely according to the dimensions and power of fishing vessels, since the current EU regulations are not satisfactory.

Member proposed to:

  • make use of regionalisation in order to adapt the definition of coastal fishing on a case-by-case basis in line with the specificities of each fishery;
  • take into account a number of indicative criteria such as the size of the vessels, the fishing gears used, the selectivity of fishing techniques, the lengths of the fishing trips and whether the owner of the vessel is on board, the traditional formulas of entrepreneurship and the property and business structures traditionally operating in these areas.

The Commission is called upon to:

  • consider the possibility of small-scale coastal fishing in island communities which traditionally depend on fishing for their own livelihood, and are engaged in fishing activities throughout the year;
  • gradually increase the quotas allocated to non-industrial fisheries, in order to boost this socially and ecologically sustainable form of fishing;
  • support innovative projects and legal provisions that facilitate the development of the coastal, island and outermost regions, by giving priority to projects that focus on sustainable job creation and retention, the increasing involvement of the extractive sector in processing and sales, the promotion of entrepreneurship formulas linked to social economy, the promotion of short market chains, the introduction of new technologies in the promotion and sale of fishing goods and services, innovation in the development of new goods and services, and maintaining and protecting traditional roles;
  • coordinate an investigation at European level to ascertain the impact of recreational coastal fishing on traditional fishing activities and also to define the parameters that are required in order to reduce recreational coastal fishing in some areas;
  • implement the necessary measures to support the various groups of women in the maritime sector so as to encourage their participation and ensure they are represented in all areas, both in decision-making roles and fishing activities;
  • promote and drive the founding and the work of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)  by increasing economic resources, since these groups are providing continued support and advice directly to the fisheries sector and thus promoting a socially inclusive sustainable development model in fishing areas;
  • help strengthen the role of fisheries communities in local development and the governance of local fisheries resources and maritime activities.

Member States should give priority to small-scale coastal fishing when granting European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) funding and to streamline procedures for operators of those types of fisheries.

The Commission should be accountable to the Parliament in respect of the action plans for the development, competitiveness and sustainability of small-scale coastal fishing drawn up by the Member States for the purposes of the EMFF.

Diversification of fisheries: in this regard, Members called on the Commission to encourage investment in the diversification of fisheries in order to:

  • develop complementary activities and the versatility of careers in fisheries, including investments in vessels, safety equipment, training, environmental services in the fisheries sector activities, and cultural and educational activities;
  • boost the creation and development of fishing tourism, to actively promote and support investment in the diversification of fisheries in the area of culture and art as part of traditional heritage (handicrafts, music and dance) and to support investment in the promotion of tradition, history and fishing heritage in general (fishing gears, techniques, historical documents, etc.);
  • boost the development of local distribution channels, the promotion of these products through the creation of local distinctive signs and/or trademarks for fresh products and by supporting the creation of local business projects.

The Commission should support the introduction of fresh produce obtained through non-industrial fishing, shellfishing and small-scale, sustainable, extensive aquaculture to public eating establishments (educational institutions, hospitals, restaurants, etc.).

Legislative initiatives: Members recommended the Commission to give the highest importance to the socio-economic relevance of artisanal coastal fishing and small-scale fishing within the EU. THe Commission should also:

  • use a selective approach when developing legislative proposals on the use of fishing gears and techniques so as to take into account the actual impact that these gears and techniques have on non-industrial fishing resources in each of the relevant areas;
  • ensure that any legislative initiatives are subject to a thorough prior impact assessment taking account of the specific factors that apply in each fishing area.

Lastly, Members stressed the need for an amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, also known as the ‘Mediterranean Regulation’, which was adopted in 2006 and which lays down rules on the technical characteristics of fishing gears and their uses, in order to bring into line with the new Common Fisheries Policy.