Following the release of the proposal for a reform of the CFP, WWF has urged the European Parliament and Member States to step up to the challenge of saving Europe’s seas and fishing industries.
This will require a serious effort to build on the Commission’s disappointing reform agenda by establishing a clear framework and timeline for achieving sustainable fisheries management, the organisation says.
“There is growing alarm among civil society, businesses and consumers about the disastrous management of Europe’s fisheries. The CFP reform is a once in a ten year opportunity to ensure fish stocks recover and Europe’s fisheries return to prosperity,” Tony Long, Director of WWF’s European Policy Office said. “It may be the last one. While the European Commission’s proposal contains some potentially good elements, too much is being left to chance. Ministers and MEPs must demonstrate the political courage to invest in sustainable fisheries management now or be prepared to carry the responsibility for ravaged stocks in the near future.”
However, on the positive side, WWF says, the proposal establishes the need to exploit fish populations at levels that guarantee their survival and identifies multi-annual plans as a way to achieve this. However, crucial delivery mechanisms, responsibilities and timeframes for these plans (outlining who should do what and by when) are missing.
The organisation goes on to say that furthermore, the Commission’s paper lacks a clear vision for reducing the overcapacity of Europe’s fleet, proposes an ineffective discard ban, and falls flat on expectations about stakeholder involvement at a regional level and the EU’s leadership role in the international fisheries arena.
