The European Commission presented its roadmap this week. step by step trawl All marine protected areas in the European Union (EU) by 2030. This target, as an interim step, requires Member States to detail areas where the use of this method can be discontinued, with concrete measures for the management of at least 20% of the marine areas that need to be defined by March 2024. Spain appealed against this decision.not resolved yet.
This was confirmed at a press conference by Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, who explained that the aim of these actions is to restore former lands. marine ecosystems and reduce the impact of fishing activities on the marine environment.
The plan aims to reduce the impact of fisheries on the seabed, given their importance as hotspots for marine biodiversity in the EU, therefore the Commission asks Member States to propose joint recommendations and take national measures. phase out mobile bottom fishing in all protected areasby 2030 at the latest, and none of the newly created ones will be allowed.
The first measures for Natura 2000 areas of the Habitats Directive protecting the seabed and marine life should be taken as early as March 2024.
Protect and restore marine ecosystems
This maritime policy package includes four documents: Common Fisheries Policyan assessment of the joint organization of fisheries and aquaculture markets, an Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems sustainable fishing and flexible and a strategy for energy transformation of the fishing industry of the EU
In parallel with taking action and making recommendations, the Commission expects Member States to prepare and publish roadmaps outlining the steps they plan to take to implement the action plan.
At a minimum, this planning should include details on identifying areas where trawling should be prohibited, taking into account countries’ commitments to create new marine protected areas by 2030, as well as details of fleets affected by trawling. .
In addition, by the middle of 2023, EU countries to set the limit for the maximum allowable seabed width may be lost or adversely affected by human pressure and will have to adopt national measures “without delay” or, where appropriate, submit joint recommendations to implement these thresholds.
The Commission, for its part, will monitor the progress of joint recommendations in the regional groups of Member States and support the development and adoption of innovative solutions aimed at: Limiting the effects of bottom fishing activities.
Agreed at COP15 in Montreal
In this way, the European Union (EU) is responding to the commitments it has made in the agreement reached at COP15 in Montreal (Canada). A new global framework for biodiversity starting from the commitment 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy to guarantee legal protection of the seas with the expansion of marine protected areas from current 12% to 30%.
The package offered by Brussels also includes a energy transition helping the industry adapt their ships and equipment, improve working conditions turning to renewable and low-carbon energy sources. “We know this is a challenging task,” the Commissioner said, suggesting that the transformation will therefore be gradual. guaranteed dialogue between all communities to lay the foundations “profitable, sustainable and resilient” fishing industry.
industry reviews
In its communique, Brussels defines trawling as “one of the most common and harmful activities for the seabed and the environment”. Received criticism from the industryThese include organizations such as Europeche or the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA). rejecting the goal of phasing out this art.
“We must try to align environmental protection with human activities, and in particular with much-needed food production. turning our seas into sea havens would cost the world much more deforestation And biodiversity loss Rather than fishing,” Europeche said in a statement.
However, Sinkevicius noted that the Commission did not propose a ban, but from Member States. implement all relevant precautions Before and only then, before March 2024, it can introduce a bill after evaluating the measures, but this will require an impact assessment where it ensures progress is made with “careful” and respect. social principles, economic and environmental factors 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”.
Environmentalists see it as “inadequate”
Meanwhile, environmental organizations see the European Commission’s proposal as insufficient.
“The European Commission’s ambitions to bridge the gap between fisheries policies and nature are failing to make up for lost time,” the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in a statement.
This organization particularly regretted that the achievement of the set goals “depends on the Member States”. “Stop destructive fishing practices, restore wildlife, protect marine ecosystems and decarbonize the fishing industry.”
While the Commission’s call for action to protect some of the most threatened species by the end of 2024 and in 2030 is “a step in the right direction”, WWF member states “Take immediate action to stop the loss of these species and work proactively to restore your number.”
“Our Fishes” organization, on the other hand, described Brussels’ plans as “fragile”.
Rebecca Hubbard, director of the “Our Fish” program, recalled the impact of overfishing, human-induced climate change and pollution and thought: European Commission proposal “fails to bridge the gap” between words and actions“For meaningful action to transform European fisheries and address the planetary crisis.”
The NGO “Seas at Risk” appreciated the European Commission’s recognition of the need to change low-impact fishing, “to move away from destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling”, as well as to protect the accidental catch of sensitive species and modernize the fishing industry. .
However, he criticized the Commission for asking Member States to phase out bottom trawling in all marine protected areas by 2030, “which means: destructive sub-equipment will be allowed to deplete the seafloor in so-called protected areas for another seven years.”
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