Europêche welcomes the European Commission proposal to strengthen EU regulations against unsustainable fishing by non-EU countries
Europêche, the leading organisation representing the European fishing industry, has welcomed a new legislative proposal from the European Commission aimed at strengthening regulations to combat unsustainable fishing practices by non-EU countries.
The proposed amendment to Regulation (EU) 1026/2012 marks a significant move to protect shared fish stocks and ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources and EU fishing companies.
The revision seeks to clarify the conditions under which non-EU countries can be identified for permitting unsustainable fishing on shared stocks. Under the new rules, the EU will be empowered to impose sanctions on offending countries, including potential import bans, to enforce sustainable practices in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
The European fishing industry has long voiced concerns over aggressive and unsustainable fishing actions by some non-EU nations. A key focus of these concerns has been Norway, which has been criticised for its unilateral decisions regarding mackerel and cod quotas, undermining EU fishing interests and contributing to overfishing in the North East Atlantic.
Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche, expressed his approval of the proposal, stating, “This is a much-needed response to the long-standing frustrations of the European fishing sector. For years, EU fishers have been subjected to unfair and unsustainable practices by non-EU countries, particularly Norway, which has repeatedly disregarded European fishing rights. The EU needs stronger, clearer tools to enforce responsible fishing practices and protect our industry. We welcome this step taken by the Commission, which gives the EU the ‘teeth’ to stand up for the sustainable management of our shared resources.”
Europêche has called for the swift approval and implementation of the revised regulation to prevent further harm to the region’s fish stocks and secure the future of sustainable fishing. The organisation believes the proposed amendment will play a crucial role in restoring balance and ensuring that non-EU countries adhere to fair and responsible fishing practices.
The proposal highlights the EU’s commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems and ensuring that all countries fishing in shared waters comply with sustainable quotas and practices.
Source: Press Release