EU fisheries ministers to discuss reform of fisheries policy

Press release - May 25, 2009

Brussels, Belgium — EU fisheries ministers meeting in Brussels today will discuss plans to radically overhaul the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The talks follow the publication by the European Commission last month of a green paper on the review of Europe’s failing fisheries policy. The Commission’s consultation document specifically identifies decision-making practices in the Council as an obstacle to achieving sustainable fisheries.(1)

"The Council lies at the heart of many of the failings of EU fisheries. Ministers are hooked on short-term gains over the protection of the sea and the long-term future of the fishing industry," said Saskia Richartz, Greenpeace EU ocean policy director.

Ministers are likely to debate proposals to set up a new market with tradable fishing quotas for fishermen. Under this system, individual fishermen would be able to sell any part of the quotas that they do not use to other fishermen.

"Tradable fishing quotas could allow the largest operators in the sector to dominate the market at the expense of smaller fishermen. Even if quota-trading eventually leads to a reduction in the EU's fishing fleet, we could be left with the most ruthless investors running the most unsustainable fishing operations," said Richartz. "European governments need to get rid of operators that most damage the environment and contribute little in terms of employment and consumer choice."

Greenpeace calls on the Council to halve the size of its fishing fleet, cut the fishing effort in line with available resources and protect 40% of EU waters with marine reserves.

The Commission's green paper on the reform of the CFP identifies fishing fleet overcapacity, excessive catch quotas and a lack of compliance with EU rules as the main drivers for the severe depletion of most fish stocks.

For more information on CFP reform, see the Greenpeace briefing on the Commission's green paper:

http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/policy-papers-briefings/reform-of-the-eu-s-common-fish

Other contacts:

Saskia Richartz – Greenpeace EU oceans policy director:
+32 (0)2 274 19 02, +32 (0)495 290 028, .
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager:
+32 (0)2 274 19 03, +32 (0)496 15 62 29, .