The fishing industry is urging EU member states to call out Norway for its ‘disloyal attitude’ towards EU fishing rights.
Europêche, which represents fishers across the bloc, has expressed frustration with Norway’s ‘aggressive stance’, accusing it of unlawful cod quota grabs, unjustified unilateral mackerel quotas and banning traditional EU fishing methods in Norwegian waters. In light of this the organisation is calling for the rejection of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
As the EU reaches the final states of the current legislative period (2019-2024), Europêche also expresses its concerns about the ‘imbalance’ between environmental and fisheries polices, and urges the union to separate the two and prioritise food production.
Added to last year’s protests at area closures and a proposed ban on bottom fishing are now concerns around what the organisation sees as excessive regulation, pricing pressures and support of cheap imports through favourable taxation.
Europêche supports the European Parliament, Council and European Economic and Social Committee in their assessment of the Commission’s environmental plan as ‘overly simplistic, lacking a foundation in the best available science and neglecting focus on food security’.
Instead, Europêche calls for a different approach for the next legislative term which takes better account of the sector’s views and does not legislate ‘through the back door’.
A further concern is around implementation of the new EU fisheries control system with Europêche questioning why the Commission is imposing what it sees as ‘unattainable measures on EU vessels’ in foreign ports which Asian vessels are not themselves subject to.
Finally the sector is dismissive of the mandatory roll-out of CCTV and engine power monitoring devices across the bloc, arguing such moves will not make the landing obligation regime workable nor prevent bycatch from reaching nets.
