EU Minister have been told to continue efforts to safeguard fish stocks and to support the industry’s efforts to modernise the fleet
EU Ministers Discuss Sustainable Fishing and Future Plans at Agriculture and Fisheries Council
At yesterday’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, EU Fisheries Ministers convened to discuss the state of sustainable fishing in the EU and outline priorities for setting fishing opportunities for 2025.
The discussion was driven by a recent Commission communication, highlighting progress and areas needing attention in EU fisheries.
Belgian Minister Hilde Crevits, responsible for Fisheries, emphasised the importance of continued efforts to modernise the fleet and reduce dependencies, ensuring a sustainable and profitable future for the sector. “Thanks to our action, the sustainability of EU fisheries is overall improving. We must continue our efforts to safeguard our fish stocks and support the industry’s efforts to modernise the fleet and reduce dependencies. This way, we can ensure a thriving and profitable fisheries sector, today and tomorrow,” Crevits stated.
Key Outcomes:
Sustainability Improvements:
Ministers welcomed the positive biological trends in marine resources, except in the Baltic Sea, where environmental challenges and Russia’s fishing activities pose significant issues.
Upcoming Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Evaluation:
The ministers supported the forthcoming CFP evaluation, announced during the informal ministerial meeting in Bruges in March 2024, under the Belgian presidency.
Challenges Ahead:
The Council acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the energy transition and the need for funding, to ensure the economic viability of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, which rely on healthy fish stocks.
Shared Stocks and Level-Playing Field:
Ministers stressed the importance of maintaining fair competition concerning stocks shared with third countries.
Feedback and Proposals:
The Commission has invited member states, advisory councils, stakeholders, and the public to provide feedback on the communication by 31 August 2024. It plans to publish proposals for fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea by the end of August, with proposals for the Mediterranean and Black Seas expected in mid-September, and those for the Atlantic and North Sea by the end of October.
Political Agreements:
The Council aims to reach a political agreement on the fishing opportunities proposal for the Baltic Sea at the October Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Agreements for the Mediterranean, Black Seas, Atlantic, and North Sea proposals are expected during the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
This meeting underscores the EU’s commitment to sustainable fishing practices and the continuous efforts needed to support the industry’s future amid environmental and economic challenges.
Source: Agriculture and Fisheries Council – Consilium (europa.eu)