The EU needs to use the right tool for every job.
Reformed a decade ago, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has been extremely efficient in rebuilding fish populations. Fish populations have been increasing significantly, with fish stocks reaching in 2018 abundance levels 50 per cent higher than in 2010.
Likewise, in 2020, the overall fishing pressure in the North East Atlantic bottomed at a record low.
But the CFP is not and cannot be just a tool for fish stocks' protection. It should be a broader policy encompassing objectives to solve the new geopolitical, climate and governance challenges.
The reality is that the current CFP does not mention major societal concerns such as "climate change", "Brexit", "Green deal," or "energy crisis". It does neither address the impacts of the growing number of marine protected areas, the massive expansion of offshore renewable energy sites, food security and energy transition, not to mention the need to reform ill-conceived policies such as the landing obligation or to address the missing social dimension of the CFP.
On Tuesday, February 21, the European Commission unveiled its long-awaited policy package consisting of four main documents: an evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy, an assessment of the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, an action plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries, and a strategy for the energy transition of the EU's fisheries sector. In its thorough analysis, the commission attempts to highlight those areas where more needs to be done or where the current situation requires more attention, in order to draw political conclusions and to prepare legislative proposals at a later stage.
Javier Garat, President of Europêche, appreciated the effort made by the European Commission in analysing the performance and effectiveness of the main EU fisheries policies.
"Identifying the gaps and shortfalls of current policy tools is a necessary step to take the right decisions," said Mr Garat. "We celebrate the success of the CFP in delivering sustainable fisheries. However, we are facing rapid changes and global challenges that require to activate the legislative machinery as a matter of urgency.
Mr Garat added that the CFP is 40 years old and the latest reform dates back 10 years. In light of the huge developments of past few years, the priorities and tools of the current CFP are obsolete.
"It was designed for a scenario preceding the Covid pandemic, the energy crisis, Brexit and the recovery of EU fish stocks. Better implementation of outdated rules is not an option; a revision is a must."
As regards main fisheries trends, the EU is increasingly dependent on seafood products imported from third countries (70 per cent of total EU seafood consumption), while reducing its fishing capacity and losing access to fishing grounds in third countries.
"Before triggering action plans that further reduce EU seafood production," Mr Garat added, "the EU needs to have a strategic vision on future ocean governance and management. It feels like the commission is putting the cart before the horses."
Mr Garat said he reminds the commissioner of his commitment to "keep a balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability, not just the biological dimension," and to address gaps in the social dimension of the CFP.
Europêche regrets the fact that, while showing no intention of reforming the CFP, the commission is undermining this primary fisheries legislation by proposing secondary environmental legislation (e.g., the nature restoration law) and political action plans that have a huge impact on the activity governed by the CFP basic regulation.
"In fishing," continued Mr Garat, "we have reached a point where protection is synonymous with exclusion. We must try to make environmental protection compatible with human activity and in particular with the much-needed production of (sea)food. Trying to convert our seas in marine sanctuaries would cost the world far more in deforestation and biodiversity loss than by fishing.
Mr Garat added that Europêche fully subscribes the criticism as formulated by the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) regarding the objective to phase out bottom contacting gear under the upcoming action plan.