Over-exploited seas

Together with agriculture, fishing represents one of the most “communitarized” spheres of the European economy. Ever since the beginning of the process of European integration, it was felt essential to share common rules in a sector that directly impacts on the exploitation of the seas and, at the same time, to legislate for their conservation, protect fish stocks, guarantee a decent income to fishermen and supply the needs of consumers and those of the fish processing industry.The objective of “sustainability”. If we consider that the EU has 70,000 km of coasts, that it faces onto inland seas and onto the ocean, and that various regions and populations live on fishing, it’s not difficult to grasp the importance that Europe today, as in the past, assigns to the sector. Whether it’s the Baltic or the Mediterranean, the Aegean or the Atlantic, Europe is surrounded by waters that provide us with a wide range of fish, salmon and squid, anchovies and lobsters, cod, tuna and herrings. But, according to the experts and to the Commission, the waters that bathe the shores of Europe are being ploughed by two many trawlers; they are being overfished; and so the natural replenishment of various species is being put at risk. The central principle of the reform proposed by the Executive on 13 July is, therefore, “sustainability”. Sustainable fishing – explained Commissioner Maria Damanaki, who holds the EU portfolio of maritime affairs – “is fishing exercised at levels that do not threaten the reproduction of fish stocks” and that “provide high long-term earnings” to those who work in the sector. Ecosystemic approach. On the basis of these premises, the Commission is making a series of proposals aimed at ensuring “both fish stocks and fishermen’s livelihood for the futures, while putting an end to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks”. The reform will introduce “a decentralized approach to science-based fisheries management by region and sea basin and define better rules for governance in the Union”. The objectives that need to be secured in the reform are many, including the revival of the economic sector, the support of jobs and coastal regions that depend on activities connected with fishing, the defence of the interests of consumers, and the protection of marine ecosystems. Various approaches are proposed in the reform, such as an ecosystemic approach to the activities of commercial trawlers, controls on the types of fish caught, the phasing-out of the practice of throwing unwanted fish back to sea (“discarding”) (“fishermen will be required to land all the fish they catch”), and better information for traders and final consumers.Fresh fish on the table. In presenting the proposals, Maria Damanaki explained: “Action is needed now to get all our fish stocks back into a healthy state to preserve them for present and future generations. Only under this precondition can fishermen continue to fish and earn a decent living out of their activities”. She continued: “This means that we have to manage each stock wisely, harvesting what we can but keeping the stock healthy and productive for the future. This will bring us higher catches, a sound environment and a secure seafood supply”. The success of the reform – which will be subjected to a preliminary discussion during a meeting of the 27 responsible ministers on 19 July – will determine “a better future for fishermen and coastal communities, and all Europeans will have a wider choice of fresh fish, both wild and farm produced”. The measures proposed also underline “the crucial role of seawater and freshwater aquaculture”.Timetable and reactions. The Executive hopes that the new package of provisions in the fishing sector will come into force on 1st January 2013, once it has been adopted, with the procedure of co-decision, by the European Council and Parliament. At the same time “a new mechanism of funding for the policy of fishing and maritime affairs, in conformity with the multiannual financial framework” 2014-2020 now being defined, will be proposed. The first reactions to the proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy are mixed. The proposal was positively received by the spokesman of the current Polish presidency of the Council. Some environmental associations, such as Ocean 2012 and Greenpeace, insist, instead, on the need to reduce the “pressure” on fish reserves, to enable their proper replenishment and to repopulate European waters. A different view is taken by those who run trawler fleets. In some capitals, the importance is underlined – as it is by the Commission itself – of pursuing a real “external dimension” of common fisheries policy, given that trawlers flying non-European flags are casting their nets, and reducing fish stocks, in the coastal waters of the old continent.