The European Commission has released its first report on the implementation of its multiannual plan (MAP) for managing fisheries in the North Sea and the western waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Commission views these MAPs as essential tools for implementing the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, offering greater precision and stability when setting fishing limits.
They also include safety measures for overfished stocks and flexibility for healthy ones, helping ensure more transparent total allowable catch (TAC) allocations among EU member states.
Introduced in 2018 and 2019, the MAPs have ensured that nearly all fisheries in these regions are either managed sustainably or have recovery measures in place. This is crucial for the long-term profitability of the fishing industry and its associated sectors.
The report highlights significant developments achieved through the MAPs over the past four to five years. Key examples include 91% of TACs set within sustainable levels in the western waters for EU-managed stocks and increases in TACs for shared species such as whiting and haddock in the North Sea.
The report is based on extensive consultations with stakeholders, including fishers, national authorities and NGOs. It reflects a variety of perspectives on the progress made, illustrating the collaborative nature of fisheries management in these sea basins.
