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Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy

The next couple of years is a vital time for the fishing industry in Europe – and for the health of our seas. The European Common Fisheries Policy, widely criticised for not helping the seas or the fishing industry, is being reformed, with input from governments, businesses, the public and organisations like ourselves.

Norwegian fishing vessel, Lofoten Islands

Back in the 1970s, member states of the European Community agreed that their fishermen should share access and have common rules for fishing in each other’s waters. In 1983 it was decided European fishing grounds should be managed as a common resource, and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was created.

But the CFP has failed to meet its objectives. Even the European Commission now recognises its shortcomings. Despite reforms in 2002, the way we currently manage European fisheries is still failing our oceans, resulting in hugely depleted fish stocks and often low economic returns for the fishing industry.

In some parts of Europe over 70% of assessed stocks are being overfished. There are simply still too many boats chasing too few fish. Latest data indicates the EU fishing fleet is still two to three times bigger than the available fishing opportunities – which is bad for fish, fishermen and coastal communities.

Fish catches are set by a system of fishing quotas (called Total Allowable Catches, or ‘TACs’) which, alongside limits on how much time boats can go to sea, are supposed to ensure that the number of fish removed from the sea is not more than each stock can withstand.

But unfortunately the TACs agreed usually exceed what scientists advise and crucially the quota system doesn’t limit the amount that can be caught – only the amount that is landed is counted. (Boats might catch too much and simply dump the excess fish, often dead, back into the sea, without recording it.) The devastating result is that around 87% of EU stocks are now overfished.

Local fish, sustainably fished

What’s next for Common Fisheries Policy reform?

Between 2009 and 2012, the European Commission are reforming the CFP and have consulted European citizens as well as governments, industry and other key stakeholders on the best way forward. .

This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to fundamentally change the way we fish. We need a better way of managing our fisheries to resolve the problem of overfishing and bring an end to destructive fishing practices.

We’ve already been working with the fishing sector, as well as industry leaders in the seafood processing and retailing sectors across Europe, to call for key changes to the way we manage fisheries inside and outside Europe.

A key part of WWFs proposal for CFP reform will be giving fishermen real powers to co-manage their fisheries through long-term management plans. These plans should provide stability to the fishery, reduce capacity where needed and include incentives for fishermen to favour sustainable approaches.

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