already official: Brussels will veto trawling in marine protected areasIt will occupy 30% of Community waters by 2030. This morning the European Commission launched communications for Member States as scheduled. road map marked to determine the ban, which For 20% it will already be effective in just one year. So, until March 2024.
The European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries himself, Virginijus SinkeviciusAt a press conference, he explained that these actions are aimed at restoring marine ecosystems and reducing the impact of fishing activities on the marine environment.
For this, it is aimed to ban trawling in at least 20% of each country’s sea waters by March 2024.
“We know this is a difficult task“, recognized in the statements collected by the commissioner European PressHe argues that transformation will be gradual, while guaranteeing dialogue among all communities to lay the foundations for the fishing industry.profitable, sustainable and durable“.
HE “Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fishing” determines that, in order to achieve its objective, Member States must take national measures or submit joint recommendations to phase out trawling in all existing protected areas and not allow it in newly created areas. Remove this method from all by 2030.
This country planning should at least include details about the country. Identifying areas where trawling should be prohibitedconsidering, Country commitments to create new marine protected areas by 2030and details of fleets affected by the measures in these areas.
In addition, by mid-2023, EU countries will have to finalize the limit on the maximum allowable size of the seabed that can be adversely affected or lost by human pressure, and take national measures “without delay” or take existing measures where appropriate. common recommendations for applying these thresholds.
Commission for its part will monitor progress It will fall within the scope of joint recommendations in the regional groups of Member States and will support the development and adoption of solutions aimed at limiting the impacts of bottom fishing activities.
Call action planIt is published in a maritime policy package framed in the Biodiversity Strategy, which includes three other documents: an assessment of the Common Fisheries Policy, an assessment of the organization of the common market for fisheries and aquaculture, and a strategy for energy community fisheries sector transition.
COP15
Thus, the European Union (EU), to the commitments it has undertaken in the agreement reached at COP15 held in Montreal (Canada), new global framework for biodiversity also, starting with the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy commitment to guarantee the legal protection of its seas by expanding marine protected areas from the current 12% to 30%.
The package offered by Brussels also includes promoting an energy transition that will help the industry adapt its ships and equipment, improve working conditions and switch to renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
industry response
Brussels describes trawling in its communication as “one of the most common and harmful activities to the seafloor and the environment”, and this has sparked criticism from the industry, including: European wave European Bottom Fishing Association (EBFA) rejecting the goal of phasing out this art.
According to the EBFA, 25% of EU fish production and around 7,000 boats at risk.
“We must try to harmonize environmental protection with human activities, and in particular with much-needed food production. Trying to turn our seas into marine refuges would cost the world much more in terms of deforestation and loss of biodiversity in fisheries,” Europêche said in a statement.
However, Sinkevicius explained that the Commission did not recommend the ban, but asked Member States to implement all relevant measures before March 2024 and only then, after considering the measures. can propose legislationbut for this Impact assessment that progress will be made “with care”, respecting the social, economic and environmental principles that guarantee the longevity and profitability of the fishing industry.
He also recalled that Brussels has proposed a new agreement for fisheries and oceans as a “new phase of cooperation”, as one of the main issues raised in the consultations is the need to increase trust and cooperation among stakeholders in the fishing sector. to develop mutual understanding”.