European Commissioner, Maria Damanaki. (Photo: EP/YouTube,hughsfishfight/FIS)

Ban on fish discards must be implemented: Damanaki

EUROPEAN UNION
Wednesday, March 02, 2011, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, spoke in Brussels this week regarding the main challenges faced when tackling fish discards. She asserted that proposing a discard ban is the best way forward.

 “I have to make it very clear: I consider discarding of fish unethical, a waste of natural resources and a waste of fishermen’s effort,” she stated. “Beyond our own beliefs or principles, since our stocks are declining, these figures are not justifiable anymore.”

“If we continue with our policy, then we will soon face a situation where the production capacity of marine ecosystems is at risk. If we continue with our policy, then discarding will erode the economic basis of our fishermen and our coastal regions will be eroded. Then fishermen and their families will pay the bill,” Damanaki continued.

She clarified that she considers proposing a discard ban as part of the Common Fishery Policy (CFP) reform proposals the best way to affront the problem of wasted fish. The commissioner warned that failing to take these strong measures now will “come back to haunt us.”

Damanaki recommended a gradual approach, perhaps beginning to implement the discard ban with the pelagic fisheries, and then progressing to span a few important demersal mixed fisheries. The list of species covered by the discard ban could then be expanded on a yearly basis.

Regarding which management system would be best, she noted only managing the mixed fisheries with an effort system as an option. 

“The idea is to preserve relative stability by translating the relative stability in quotas into a relative stability in effort for mixed fisheries. Such a management system is relatively simple as all catches would need to be landed,” Damanaki explained. 

A second option would be the catch quota system with by catch quotas, she continued. This would entail having Member States allocate quotas that correspond with the real possible catches of their boats.

The commissioner stressed that no matter which method is eventually chosen, the discard ban would necessitate consistency in all rules of the CFP.

“We need consistency in market measures. Also the control pillars of the CFP will be very important. We will need CCTV or observers on board vessels above a certain length,” she said.

The changes to the CFP are set to be introduced in 2013. 

Britain, Denmark, France and Germany have all signed an accord in which they called for the wholesale reform of the policy, reports The Independent.

Related articles:

- Scotland's request to attend EU fisheries policy talks declined 
- 2011 shows good possibilities for fishery management shifts 

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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