Industry response on CFP reform

Chief Executive, John Rutherford, said: "We are glad the Commission recognises the fundamental issues that need to be tackled, in particular the urgent need for a solution to discards and the need for a level playing field across all member states...Seafish would urge the Commission to work with fishermen and encourage greater regional management and a greater role for the seafood industry."

Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group’s EU Marine Programme, issued a statement in response Green Paper saying, "The Green Paper articulates a much needed, far-reaching reform...A reformed CFP must ensure that fishing limits are set according to scientific advice and are not subject to politics...Without delay, Member States need to balance fleet capacity with the available fish to secure fisheries that provide long-term socio-economic benefits. Only by engaging in a frank discussion that leads to concerted action can we truly reform the CFP."

WWF also welcomes the publication of the Green Paper and says that it provides clear evidence of the need to radically reform the current policy. WWF is now calling on European Governments to seriously commit to this reform, to save Europe’s fish stocks and create a profitable fisheries sector.

Giles Bartlett, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF-UK says: “The Commission has produced an admirably honest critique of a dysfunctional fisheries policy. The Common Fisheries Policy requires urgent change so that Europe’s seas are capable of supporting profitable and sustainable fisheries into the future. Governments and industry must support this opportunity to deliver the real change that is necessary.”

WWF is urging European governments and the Commission to craft a new policy for European fisheries, and immediately implement new rules to tackle illegal fishing and set sustainable quotas for all commercial fish stocks in the North Sea and Baltic.