The NWWAC has responded to EU Commission’s Call for Evidence on Common Fisheries Policy Evaluation which was launched in June 2024. Photo: CJ Gaffney
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has submitted its response to the European Commission’s call for evidence regarding the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The call for evidence, launched on 20 June 2024, seeks to assess how well the CFP has performed in meeting its objectives and addressing emerging challenges, particularly those stemming from environmental, political, and geopolitical changes.
The NWWAC, in its feedback, emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of the CFP’s implementation from 2014 to 2024. It stressed the importance of examining the policy’s coherence with other EU legislation and adapting it to address the complex new realities facing the fishing industry.
While acknowledging that the CFP is grounded in solid objectives and principles, the NWWAC expressed concerns that certain elements require amending to ensure its effectiveness. The council noted that the current context is vastly different from when the CFP was reformed a decade ago, citing factors such as climate change, Brexit, competition for maritime space, and global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“There are clear indications that certain elements of the CFP need adjustment to ensure the policy’s successful implementation in today’s changing context,” the NWWAC stated.
The council highlighted the growing pressures on the marine environment, including the impacts of climate change, increased competition for maritime space, and the expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The NWWAC stressed the importance of taking a holistic approach to marine ecosystem management, considering all sources of environmental disturbance, including pollution, dredging, and offshore renewable energy developments.
A significant focus of the NWWAC’s response was the challenge posed by the CFP’s landing obligation. The council called for a reconfiguration of the obligation to make it more implementable and controllable, echoing concerns raised in previous evaluations and research projects.
“The landing obligation needs to be reconfigured to be both implementable and controllable,” the NWWAC urged, expressing hope that the Commission’s planned evaluation of the obligation would lead to decisive action.
The NWWAC also reiterated the importance of maintaining a regional perspective within the CFP, tailored to the specific needs of different sea basins and stakeholders. However, the council highlighted the need for an overhaul of the regionalisation process in the wake of Brexit to give Member States and Advisory Councils a more meaningful role in decision-making.
To conclude, the NWWAC welcomed the Commission’s consultation strategy and emphasised the importance of strong multi-stakeholder engagement. The council also recommended that the Commission’s targeted consultations with Advisory Councils should be tailored to their expertise and procedures.
The NWWAC stands ready to contribute further to the evaluation and hopes that the CFP will be adapted to address the current and future challenges facing the fishing industry.