The recent agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the new basic regulation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has caused a flood of mixed feelings amongst European fisheries and aquaculture professionals, says EU institutions Europêche and Copa-Cogeca.
The organisations, which represent the fisheries sector in Europe and EU farmers and their cooperatives, have commented on the main components of the agreement.
While they realise the agreement is an “important step”, the associations say the maximum sustainable yield advocated by the fisheries sector in Europe has been maintained, but concerns prevail about the aim to achieve stock levels above BMSY for all stocks.
Europêche and Copa-Cogeca say the sector is also worried the intransigent fleet capacity management will hit the industry hard, while the discard ban will lead to a complex technical adaption process over a short period of time and unforeseen cost increases for the sector.
But, the proposal to create an advisory council has been welcomed by the associations, with the hope that it will develop a better EU framework.
"Fisheries and aquaculture represent a strategic sector in terms of employment and supplying the EU market with high quality food. Care must be taken not to endanger this sector by introducing unfeasible measures", said Javier Garat, president of Europêche and Giampaolo Buonfiglio, chairman of Copa-Cogeca.
Both organisations say they hope the new policy will be implemented gradually and in close consultation with the sector.
