The new rules will particularly help reduce as far as possible the number of caught juveniles, and minimise the impact of fishing activities on seabed

EU council confirms agreement on new fishing technical measures

EUROPEAN UNION
Friday, February 22, 2019, 21:50 (GMT + 9)

European Union member states' ambassadors endorsed the agreement between the presidency and European Parliament's representatives on new rules on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems.

These measures include specifications for fishing gears and mesh sizes, closed areas and seasons, and measures to minimize the impact of fishing on the marine ecosystem and environment.

Petre Daea, president Council and Minister of Agriculture and  Rural Development of Romania, talking to the Council of the EU. ►

“This agreement on simpler and better technical measures is a milestone in the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and for the sustainability of our seas,” said Petre Daea, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania and President of the Council.

“These rules will make fishermen's' lives easier and allow member states and the fishing sector to have a greater say in deciding what is appropriate for different sea basins and local specificities,” he added.

Part of the Electric Fishing STOP campaign ►

The regulation on technical measures will allow the EU to achieve the objectives and targets set out in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), such as the reduction of unwanted catches and by catches of sensitive species.The new rules will particularly help reduce as far as possible the number of caught juveniles, and minimise the impact of fishing activities on seabeds.

In line with the CFP, the new rules set out a framework for the regionalisation of technical measures through a bottom up approach, by which member states, cooperating closely with the industry in local Advisory Councils, will be able to submit joint recommendations on issues of vital importance. These joint recommendations will then be taken into account by the Commission in adopting secondary legislation.

Also, regional groups of member states will be allowed to develop additional mitigation measures in their joint recommendations to reduce the impact of fishing on sensitive species and habitats.

Member states will also have other tools at their disposal, such as real-time closures and restrictions on the construction and operation of certain fishing gears, to improve selectivity and the protection of the environment under certain conditions.

besides, a list of prohibited species that fishermen will not be able to fish is also established.

►ICES provides all the scientific support for the subsequent decision making

Electric pulse fishing will be prohibited after 30 June 2021. There will be a phase out period, during which no new licences will be granted.

Furthermore, scientific research will continue in line with stringent conditions. The regulation includes the requirement of a future Commission report including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on the impact of innovative gears on marine ecosystems, sensitive habitats and selectivity.

The text will undergo legal and linguistic review. The Parliament and the Council will be called to adopt the final text at a later date.
The new rules will apply on the day after their publication on the Official Journal of the European Union (mid 2019).

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