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The Common Fisheries Policy

The Common Fisheries Policy. of the European Union Niki Sporrong. A history of conflict. Between individual fishermen Between groups of fishermen Between different countries With other user interests and other stakeholders But cooperation can lead to good solutions.

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The Common Fisheries Policy

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  1. The Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union Niki Sporrong

  2. A history of conflict • Between individual fishermen • Between groups of fishermen • Between different countries • With other user interests and other stakeholders But cooperation can lead to good solutions

  3. The EU Common Fisheries Policy • Article 38, The Treaty of Rome 1957 • Basic principles established in 1967 • Market & structural policies 1970 • Independent Directorate General 1976 • External relations policy1977 • Resource management policy in 1983 • 10-year reformcycle: 1992, 2002 & 2012

  4. Today: four main pillars • Resource management: TACs, technical measures, conservation • Structural policy: fleet and infrastructure • Market policy: trade, price support, labeling and consumer information • External policy: fisheries partnership agreements (access) and international agreements Policy objectives partially contradictive

  5. The 2002 reform • 80 % of stocks in North East Atlantic outside safe biological limits in 2001 • Demersal stocks at < 10 % of 1970s levels • Increase in pelagic species • 25 % of catch consists of unwanted bycatch • Fleet estimated to be twice the sustainable size • Generous subsidies • Illegal fishing possibly at 40 % • Around 60.000 jobs lost in 1990-1997

  6. Changes in 2002 reform • Conservation and resource management more central to the policy: recovery plans, long-term management plans, precautionary principle and ecosystembased management • National management of fleet size • Initially fewer changes in control and monitoring • Significant changes in the subsidies regime • Increased stakeholder participation in the policy process – RACs

  7. Implementation phase • Long-term managment plans • Increased protection of the wider marine environment • Days at sea restrictions • Gear changes, landing sizes • New IUU Regulation and Control Regulation • Support for diversification • RACs Slow process, lowest common denominator, Business as usual

  8. Leading up to 2012 reformthe EU Common Fisheries Policy is still considered to be a failure: • Fleet still too large – possibly increased • Most European fish stocks still overfished (30 % o sbl; 80 % below MSY) • 93 % of North Sea cod taken immature • Landings fell by 30 % in 10 years

  9. Even the European Commission describes it as such: • Poor economic performance • High environmental impact • High fuel consumption • Low contribution to EU food supply • Consumers thinks CFP not sustainable • MS costs for management & subsidies > than value of catches

  10. Why is it not working? • Short term profitability dominates • Allocation of access rules • Lack of sector buy in – cheating the rules • Lack of complete mortality data • National interests influence EU policy • Still conflicting objectives

  11. Prioritisation of environmental objectives, following scientific advice • Long-term management objectives • Minimise bycatch and effects on the wider marine environment (LIF) • Access regime that promotes LIF • Decision-making framework differentiating between strategic and management decisions • Transparent and participatory decision-making • Removal of harmful subsidies (structural) Possible solutions

  12. Internationally agreed targets, such as MSY by 2015, leading to gradual change of EU targets for resources • International and EU environmental legislation (BDC, Habitats Directive, MSFD, MSP) • The Lisbon Treaty and the EP role (2010) • Fuel prices and financial crisis • Increased involvement from civil society • Greater scrutiny by media • Public campaigns and social networking sites Wider changes affecting the CFP

  13. Where are we today?

  14. Future policy now in the hands of Council and EP with Commission “guidance”- trialogue

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