Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


ClientEarth: '...the performance of the Council, and particularly of certain Member States, has been disappointing'

Report blames key EU countries for unsustainable fishing limits

EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, November 14, 2019, 18:00 (GMT + 9)

Over the last five years key EU countries have actively pushed for unsustainable fishing limits in the North East Atlantic and other countries have failed to stop them, a new report from environmental law charity, ClientEarth reveals.

The report picks out France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Denmark as those countries behind the drive for unsustainable limits.

Every December, fisheries ministers from across the EU meet to set the fishing limits, or ‘Total Allowable Catches’ (TACs) for the next year. And every time so far, they have gambled with the future of fish stocks and fisheries by setting most of these TACs above scientific advice, according to ClientEarth.

Image:  ClientEarth report

In 2013, as part of the last reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament agreed to end overfishing by 2020 at the latest, in order to restore all stocks above healthy levels capable of producing the ‘maximum sustainable yield’ (MSY).

But a ClientEarth report published today highlights that progress towards that legal MSY deadline has been too slow, pointing at the main culprits for this failure, and making key recommendations that decision-makers now need to follow to meet the CFP’s sustainability requirements.

ClientEarth Science and Policy advisor Jenni Grossmann said:

“Less than two months before the 2020 deadline, it is time to take stock: progress towards setting fishing limits in line with science and the law has been way too slow. Many stocks remain overfished, yet decision-makers keep setting unsustainable fishing limits above scientific advice year after year.

“Where information on the health of fish stocks is still limited, decision-makers should have been more precautionary – but our report shows they have done the opposite.

“Everyone involved in the process, including the Commission, individual EU fisheries ministers and the Council as a whole, is to blame when fishing limits don’t follow scientific advice. Anyone who pushes for higher quotas, or fails to prevent others from doing so, is a culprit or at least complacent.

Number of cases by Member State where Total Allowable Catches (TACs) were set above scientific advice, with or without active push (Click to enlarge) | Image:  ClientEarth report

“This year’s December Council will show if they are serious about ending overfishing, or will continue to prioritise short-term socio-economic interests over long-term sustainability for both the ocean and the fishers that depend on it.”

Fisheries ministers have already started their next round of negotiations behind closed doors, based on the recently published Commission’s proposal for 2020, which gives some reason for hope, but still does not follow scientific advice across the board.

At this crucial stage, ClientEarth’s report takes a closer look at a number of key issues that the Commission and the Council, as well as individual Member States, will need to address as a priority to meet the 2020 deadline and allow all stocks to recover.

Grossmann added:

“EU decision-makers have so far failed to beat the 2020 deadline, but it is not too late to meet it by setting sustainable TACs in line with science and the law in 2019.”

The Council of EU fisheries ministers is expected to reach a final agreement on the TACs for 2020 on 17 December 2019.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS
Uruguay
Jul 6, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
ALPESCAS Urges Resolution in Labor Conflict Threatening Uruguayan Industrial Fishing
United States
Jul 4, 15:00 (GMT + 9):
IN BRIEF - National Fisheries Institute Statement on Section 139L of the OBBB Act
Viet Nam
Jul 4, 07:00 (GMT + 9):
US Tariff Pressure Casts Shadow Over Vietnam's Seafood Exports, Slowing Growth in June
South Korea
Jul 4, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
South Korea's Frozen Mackerel Imports Skyrocket in First Half of 2025
China
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Global Squid Prices See Significant Rise in June Driven by Supply Shocks
Norway
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Norwegian Salmon and Trout Conquer Global Markets Amidst Shifting Tides
Norway
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Norwegian Seafood Exports Hit Record High in First Half of 2025
Faroe Islands
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Bakkafrost Reports Strong Q2 Harvests, But Scottish Mortality Costs Soar
France
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Sardines Sizzle as Mackerel Stabilizes in French Canned Fish Market
Germany
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Industrias Pesqueras: German fleet activity grows 4% in volume, but declines 1.3% in value
Denmark
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | WorldFishing: Denmark introduces bottom trawl ban
Iceland
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Fish Focus: Baldvin Thorsteinsson takes over as CEO of Samherji
Norway
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | fishfarmingexpert: Norway's salmon exports rocketed in H1 - but returns didn't
United States
Jul 3, 07:00 (GMT + 9):
New Report Unlocks Opportunities for Norwegian Snow and King Crab in the U.S. Market
Indonesia
Jul 3, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Indonesian Fisheries Sector Sees Strong Growth in Q1 2025, Exports Up 6.5%



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Scientists Convene in Shanghai to Discuss Giant Squid Conservation and Management
China Experts underscore the urgent need for enhanced biological and stock knowledge of the resource. Shanghai - The president of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of Giant Squid (CALAMASUR...
New Report Unlocks Opportunities for Norwegian Snow and King Crab in the U.S. Market
United States Fresh insights aim to strengthen Norway's premium position amid rising demand and unique market advantages. OSLO – Norway's seafood industry is strategically positioning itself globally, with sig...
Cepesca Takes Spanish Fishing Demands to Brussels in Historic Meeting
Spain Confederation Insists on Reviewing Closure of 87 Bottom Fishing Zones and Defending Mediterranean Trawl Fishing Before MEPs and EP Fisheries Committee. MADRID – The Spanish Fishing Confede...
Indonesian Fisheries Sector Sees Strong Growth in Q1 2025, Exports Up 6.5%
Indonesia Fisheries production rises 2%, signaling positive trends for national food security and economic contribution. JAKARTA – Indonesia's fisheries sector demonstrated robust growth in the first qua...
 

Umios Corporation | Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER