Fishery: Ministers decided on a new negotiating for the reformed CFP

Author: BalticSea2020
Year published: 2013

May 15, 2013, The Council of Ministers decided for a new mandate for the negotiations on the new Common Fishery Policy (CFP). The next so-called Trialogue negotiations between the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Commission are scheduled for May 28 to 29. The new proposal has come closer to the European Parliament's proposal, but is still less ambitious.

In the new decision the percentages of how much fish is thrown back to the sea is reduced by 5 % of the total catch. The proportions of fish that are thrown back to the sea are for cod over 15% in the Baltic Sea and up to 40% in the North Sea. The exception that is left runs however a risk of preventing the regulatory reform that was planned, which mainly affects the fishing industry. Other areas where negotiations are expected to remain tough are in the objectives for when fish stocks should be restored and how much the European Parliament and the Council shall govern the regional fisheries management.

Unless the parties agree before the summer break, the negotiations are not expected to be in progress until the end of 2014.

 

Our focus areas

fisheryThe stock of predatory fish is crucial for the state of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, the Foundation worked to ensure that the environmental effects of fishing should be a central part of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The Foundation also worked on projects to increase the proportion of predatory fish, such as cod, pike and perch. Read more

eutroEutrophication is caused by emissions of nutrients that come from e.g. agriculture, water treatment plants, sewage and transportation. To find measures that could reduce emissions the Foundation worked on projects in agriculture, industrial animal farms and the coastal zone, to research on measures to catch or bind nutrients. Read more

seagull-informationTo create awareness about the threats and opportunities the Baltic Sea is facing, the Foundation initiated a 10-year media and film project with journalist Folke Rydén and photographer Mattias Klum. The Foundation has also supported Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre (Baltic Eye), and Baltic Sea Science Center at Skansen. Read more