EFCA report calls for harmonised fishery weighing standards in the EU, highlighting inconsistencies and urging technological upgrades
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has highlighted significant issues with the current management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), urging the European Commission to take a more evidence-based and flexible approach.
In its latest advice, submitted on 14 January 2025, the NWWAC addressed inaccuracies in data and inconsistencies in VME closures that have disrupted fishing activities while failing to fully achieve conservation goals.
The advisory council expressed concerns over the reliance on outdated data and methodologies used in ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) assessments, which inform the European Commission’s VME Implementing Regulations. These closures restrict bottom fishing activities in designated areas to protect marine habitats but, according to the NWWAC, lack the necessary precision and consistency.
Key Issues with Current VME Closures
The NWWAC pointed to several critical discrepancies in the current VME advice and closures:
- Inaccurate Depth Modelling: The VME polygons are based on modelled depth zones (400-800m) rather than accurate bathymetric data. This has resulted in some closures being placed in areas unsupported by scientific evidence.
- Outdated Data: Errors identified in ICES advice from 2021 and 2022 remain uncorrected. This data forms the basis of current VME closures, which are now seen as ineffective and unnecessarily disruptive to fishing activities.
- Discrepancies Across Regions: Significant differences exist in how data is submitted and processed for regions such as the Celtic Seas, the Bay of Biscay, and the Iberian Coast, leading to uneven implementation of closures.
NWWAC Recommendations
To address these challenges, the NWWAC proposed several measures:
- Improved Methodology: ICES should adopt accurate bathymetric data for depth-based VME polygons to ensure closures align with ecological realities.
- Updated Regulations: The European Commission should revise its VME Implementing Regulation to reflect the latest scientific advice and correct outdated or erroneous closures.
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessments: The NWWAC welcomed the planned socio-economic analysis of VME closures by STECF (Scientific, Technical, and Economic Committee for Fisheries) and called for active stakeholder engagement to ensure balanced outcomes.
- Regional Approaches: VME management should consider regional differences and avoid applying uniform policies across diverse marine ecosystems.
Ongoing Work and Industry Impact
The NWWAC acknowledged efforts by the European Commission to involve advisory councils in VME-related discussions. However, the council criticised delays in implementing corrections to ICES advice and called for faster retraction and reissuance of erroneous data to minimise disruption to the fishing industry.
“Fishing communities are already facing economic pressures due to regulatory changes and environmental shifts,” said NWWAC Chairman Emiel Brouckaert. “It is essential that VME closures are based on robust scientific evidence and are sensitive to the socio-economic realities of the fishing sector.”
Future Outlook
The NWWAC emphasised the need for collaboration between stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers to achieve both conservation and economic sustainability. A key upcoming milestone is the STECF Expert Working Group meeting in March 2025, which will evaluate the socio-economic impacts of VMEs and help shape future policies.
By advocating for a balanced approach, the NWWAC aims to ensure that the preservation of marine ecosystems does not come at the expense of sustainable fishing practices or the livelihoods of coastal communities.