Spain's Fisheries Minister Elena Espinosa at Vigo (Photo: MARM)

Ministers define priorities to reform fisheries policy

EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, May 10, 2010, 11:50 (GMT + 9)

The fisheries ministers of the European Union (EU) are identifying policy options for the future Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Spanish Presidency of the European bloc relayed.

Following the informal meeting held last week in Vigo, the head of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) of Spain, Elena Espinosa, announced that the ministers and the representatives of the European Commission (CE) and the European Parliament “reached unanimous agreement with regard to establishing a set of priorities” for the reform of the current CFP, in force since 2003.

Espinosa emphasised several aspects that must be considered:

• Differentiation between artisanal and industrial fishing;
• Creation of a specific fund for small-scale fishing, which includes environmental, technological and trade measures, without leaving out the social dimension;
• Seeking of other options for fisheries of a mixed nature, taking into account that current policy with regard to total allowable catch (TAC) and quotas does not constitute the only viable management model;
• Avoiding discards and look for formulas which minimise their impact;
• Taking a bottom-up approach to decision making and greatly simplify common fisheries policy governance;
• Continuing to improve the supply to the Common Market Organisation (CMO) in the fisheries product sector so that it also becomes a tool for aiding third countries;
• Providing a much more active role to regional fishing organisations, particularly in those fishing areas where there is less monitoring.

For the Spanish minister, it is important that the EC take stock of different opinions and ideas which will permit the initiation of formal debate at the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers, scheduled in Luxembourg on 29 June.

According to European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, the revision of the CFP has entered a key phase.

Brussels hopes to have its legislative reform proposal ready by 2011, so that the new policy can take effect in 2013.

"We have completed the consultation process and must now begin to make decisions,” the Commissioner said.

"We need a viable and sustainable sector and we are going to follow a long-term-based approach” when presenting the proposal, she concluded.

Related article:

- EU hopes to complete fisheries reform by end of 2011

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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