WWF-UK: Fishing quotas undermine EU Common Fisheries Policy
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Fishing quotas undermine EU Common Fisheries Policy
Thursday 4 October 2007
Five years from its next reform, the EU Common Fisheries Policy is still failing in its primary purpose to achieve the sustainable management of European fish stocks. The way fisheries quotas are set is fuelling the chronic problem of over fishing in Europe, putting at risk fish stocks and the future of the fishing sector, says a new report published by WWF.
The report examines progress of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy half way through its mandate (from 2002 until 2012). It shows that the majority of European fisheries are in fact not being properly managed, that scientific advice is too often ignored and that quotas agreed by the European Fisheries Ministers have largely been set above sustainable limits. In 2007, four fifths of EU fish stocks are still outside safe biological limits.
"It is clear that the problems related to annual quota setting have not been eliminated since the reformed Common Fisheries Policy was introduced and now a new horse-trading season to set quotas for 2008 is about to start. This is not a failure which can be laid at the door of the Commission alone, but a systematic shortcoming of the EU management and decision making structure itself. It raises serious concerns, as to whether the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy is fit for purpose", says Helen McLachlan, WWF Senior Marine Policy Officer.
In 2006 and 2007, the majority of quotas recommended by the European Commission for the North Sea and the Celtic Sea regions were greater than those proposed by the International Council for Exploration of the Seas, the scientific body advising the Commission.
Also, the Commission has not proposed, and the Council has not adopted, the necessary reductions in quotas for cod, in line with the agreed recovery plan. For the North Sea stock, a 55 per cent reduction in quota was not adopted in 2005. In 2006, the reduction was of only 12 per cent compared to the required 16 per cent. In the Kattegat, a 51 per cent reduction was thought appropriate in 2005, but only a 27 per cent reduction was implemented.
This, in combination with a failure to implement other measures to reduce cod mortality mean that none of the cods stocks appear to be showing signs of improvement compared to 2002.
Helen McLachlan adds: "An important commitment was made in 2001 to implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. While some progress is being made Member States and the Commission have been slow to fulfil this commitment. As a result sustainable management of our marine resources will not be achieved and begs the question should fisheries be managed within a wider marine portfolio rather than left to its own devices?"
"It is clear that the problems related to annual quota setting have not been eliminated since the reformed Common Fisheries Policy was introduced and now a new horse-trading season to set quotas for 2008 is about to start. This is not a failure which can be laid at the door of the Commission alone, but a systematic shortcoming of the EU management and decision making structure itself. It raises serious concerns, as to whether the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy is fit for purpose", says Helen McLachlan, WWF Senior Marine Policy Officer.
In 2006 and 2007, the majority of quotas recommended by the European Commission for the North Sea and the Celtic Sea regions were greater than those proposed by the International Council for Exploration of the Seas, the scientific body advising the Commission.
Also, the Commission has not proposed, and the Council has not adopted, the necessary reductions in quotas for cod, in line with the agreed recovery plan. For the North Sea stock, a 55 per cent reduction in quota was not adopted in 2005. In 2006, the reduction was of only 12 per cent compared to the required 16 per cent. In the Kattegat, a 51 per cent reduction was thought appropriate in 2005, but only a 27 per cent reduction was implemented.
This, in combination with a failure to implement other measures to reduce cod mortality mean that none of the cods stocks appear to be showing signs of improvement compared to 2002.
Helen McLachlan adds: "An important commitment was made in 2001 to implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. While some progress is being made Member States and the Commission have been slow to fulfil this commitment. As a result sustainable management of our marine resources will not be achieved and begs the question should fisheries be managed within a wider marine portfolio rather than left to its own devices?"