future prone Decarbonization of European ships Brussels does not intend to step back from this goal either. Stating that the war in Ukraine highlighted the problems of fuel supply and its impact on fisheries, the Deputy Head of Fisheries Policy in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea and the outermost regions of the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DG-Mare), Maja Kirchner, yesterday demonstrated the Community Manager’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the fleet to ensure sustainability.. He did this in the framework of a conference on the EU Biodiversity Strategy held by the Fresh Fish Producers Organization of the Port and Ría de Marín (Opromar) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The gateway to new support lines to achieve a zero footprint in the ocean.
“We want to see how we can adapt the fish, how we can do it. adapt ships to consume less energy in the futureis to ensure the resilience of the sector and to reduce this dependence on fossil fuels. Because, as we have seen, this addiction can be a big disadvantage.” “We will see how we can jointly use with you other financial funds from the EU that could be useful in this energy transition.” He also announced that the EC will evaluate the possibilities of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and other tools for this purpose in addition to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (Fempa).
Approaching the position conveyed a few weeks ago by EC Fisheries spokesperson Adalbert Jahn, who stressed that the Action Plan, one of the four documents drafted in the EU Biodiversity Strategy discussed in Madrid yesterday, will not have “binding objectives” or “legislation”. Kirchner pointed out that there is a “misunderstanding” regarding the roadmap developed in February in countries such as Spain or France, which aims to eliminate trawler fishing in 30% of European waters by 2030. and more teamwork – just a month ago, last April, he persisted in the argument put forward once again, after the strong rejection by the majority of member states: “With this package we’re adopting there, it’s crucial to understand that it’s not a necessity. What we want is to start a dialogue with the fishing industry and to start cooperating with the administrations.”
Make way for SPOs
The announcement about decarbonization did not go unnoticed by Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.who used most of his speech to defend the fishing industry.. “Protected marine areas seem to us to be a very interesting tool for the protection of seas and oceans, but their creation should require adequate regulation rather than prohibition of fishing activity,” he said. reform aimed at “opening the way” for local producers when it comes to organizing fisheries producers and being able to benefit from related assistance. All while reinforcing existing SPOs.
On the energy transition of the fleet, the EU Fisheries Council, which is scheduled for 17 and 18 July in Vigo, which it once again calls the European fishing capital, ” discuss future financing of the industry” is linked to “perform this refresh”.
At the state level, the Fisheries General Secretary, Isabel ArtimeEmphasizes and insists on the importance of a “key” activity for the population’s food supply Decarbonising the fisheries sector will be “one of the biggest axes” Spain will defend during the Presidency of the European Council.seeks to encourage the search for “sustainable and viable alternatives” in economic and functional terms. Shortly before giving way to his Portuguese colleague, “The fishing sector is the first to be concerned with having healthy and productive oceans, because the medium and long term survival of the sector depends on them.” Teresa Coelho, Portuguese Minister of State for Fisheries, described the fishermen as “the best protectors of the sea” and pointed out that measures against trawling cannot be “discriminatory”. “We must ensure the environmental component of fisheries policies, but we must also ensure the economic and social component,” she added.
Highlighted at the event organized by Opromar claiming the fishing industry as an ally in defense of the marine environment and this was reminded by Brussels’ manager, Juan Carlos Martín Fragueiro, who condemned the “deep discomfort” and “absolute lack of dialogue” in drafting and implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy. The person in charge of the Port’s and Ría de Marín’s Fresh Fisheries Producers Organization was frank in stating that the measures he is considering “lack of a solid foundation based on impact studies” and that they would cause conflict in other areas. “It threatens the quality of an industry that is little consulted”. Likewise, he valued the efforts of all professionals working daily at sea to improve sustainability and regretted that fishing was not seen as a “priority activity” in Marine Area Management Plans (POEM).
Javier Touza, chairman of the Vigo Port Shipowners Cooperative (ARVI), also said on behalf of the union: fishermen should at least be on the same level as the fish”. “We are a very peaceful, very calm but proud industry. As the present and future of our families are at stake, I ask the EC to show special sensitivity when addressing these issues related to our industry.”