Regionalization of the Common Fisheries Policy

The report by Pat the Cope GALLAGHER (UFE, Irl) on regionalisation of the common fisheries policy was adopted by the Committee. The report says that the main aims of a new regional fisheries policy should be to conserve resources for future generations and enable fisheries-dependent communities to continue to fish and to prosper from fishing. The committee believes a system is needed which takes account of the differences between the various fisheries-dependent areas. It also argues that fishermen·s support for fisheries regulations will improve if fishermen·s organisations are involved in the decision-making process. The report proposes the creation of a comprehensive series of regional management units, covering the EC·s regional seas, and says that these units can be given appropriate responsibilities and powers for making decisions concerning detailed management policies within the relevant areas. It also contends that the Commission must have ultimate responsibility, and powers through the Council, to ensure that all regional management regimes are sufficiently robust to ensure the long-term sustainability of stocks. The constitution of the regional management units should be defined geographically and professionally. They should ensure that fishermen who benefit from regional quotas land a percentage of their catch in the regions to which the quotas are allocated. They should also impose other obligations on fishermen to contribute to the economic well-being of fisheries-dependent areas. In addition, the rapporteur maintains that subsidiarity should apply within the CFP.