EU to overhaul fisheries policy

[ibis]

The EU Commission has decided to overhaul the CFP:

The European Commission has announced a full review of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, saying the current regime fails to protect fish stocks. The commission says that fishermen who obey the fishing rules are being penalised by the irresponsible behaviour of others who flout them. That "vicious circle" has undermined the ecological balance of the oceans, the commission says.

An absolutely necessary move, given the state of fish stocks, but unlikely to be popular.

The EU wants to cut the size of fleets and the time fishermen spend at sea.

Source.

[spidermom]

can we then presume that it will be IRISH fishermen that will be reduced as will their fishing times while the spaniards et al will remain immune!!!One can presume that the irsh fisherman will be sold down the proverbial channel as they were before!!!!!!

[ibis]

can we then presume that it will be IRISH fishermen that will be reduced as will their fishing times while the spaniards et al will remain immune!!!One can presume that the irsh fisherman will be sold down the proverbial channel as they were before!!!!!!

One can presume anything one likes. There's something to be said, of course, for waiting for facts, although I appreciate that's no longer very popular around here.

[goosebump]

The EU Commission has decided to overhaul the CFP:

The European Commission has announced a full review of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, saying the current regime fails to protect fish stocks. The commission says that fishermen who obey the fishing rules are being penalised by the irresponsible behaviour of others who flout them. That "vicious circle" has undermined the ecological balance of the oceans, the commission says.

An absolutely necessary move, given the state of fish stocks, but unlikely to be popular.

The EU wants to cut the size of fleets and the time fishermen spend at sea.

Source.

What an outrage. Has no one told the Commission that fish are non-reproductive organisms that magically grow in our oceans with liberal helpings of moon dust and sparkle berries?

[spidermom]

Facts or presumptions based on on how irish fisheries have been screwed since day one.Pardon my cynicism.Shall now retire to wait facts.You however did not post this with facts so I thought I might be entitled to my opinion.Apologies!!!

[Bobert]

The fisherman in me hates this idea.

The realist in me likes this idea.

The child in me wants to know why Captain Birdseye can't work any more.

[diddleydoo]

The EU Commission has decided to overhaul the CFP:

The European Commission has announced a full review of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, saying the current regime fails to protect fish stocks. The commission says that fishermen who obey the fishing rules are being penalised by the irresponsible behaviour of others who flout them. That "vicious circle" has undermined the ecological balance of the oceans, the commission says.

An absolutely necessary move, given the state of fish stocks, but unlikely to be popular.

The EU wants to cut the size of fleets and the time fishermen spend at sea.

Source.

Well I'll be. The commission has actually located a real problem. I'm feeling dizzy.

Shame they didn't think of this before allowing jumped-up fisheries officers in Ireland use the navy to enforce laws against over-fishing.....

Not only are those flouting the rules harming the honest fishermen, the way the commission has been handling small transgressions is appalling. Don't they realise that all of these small regressions (I'm talking about a box of fish here or there) are because the rules are not transparent and that those really flaunting the laws are not showing up on their radar at all? The net result (no pun intended) is that the commission has been busy for the last 10 years punishing fishermen who have been doing their best to conform to the rules from Brussels but are faced with an almost impossible task. If that doesn't push people over to "the dark side" then what will?

For much of the Irish fishery fleet, this knowledge comes much too late.

Shane.

[diddleydoo]

can we then presume that it will be IRISH fishermen that will be reduced as will their fishing times while the spaniards et al will remain immune!!!One can presume that the irsh fisherman will be sold down the proverbial channel as they were before!!!!!!

One would also have to hope that the "spaniards et al" are the ones "flouting" the rules as mentioned in the OT.

Otherwise it really DOES look bad.

But still, even if they mess up the implementation, at least the Commission has IDENTIFIED a real problem.

Shane.

[ibis]

can we then presume that it will be IRISH fishermen that will be reduced as will their fishing times while the spaniards et al will remain immune!!!One can presume that the irsh fisherman will be sold down the proverbial channel as they were before!!!!!!

One would also have to hope that the "spaniards et al" are the ones "flouting" the rules as mentioned in the OT.

Otherwise it really DOES look bad.

Problems as identified:

* the overcapacity in the EU fleet: at present, the fleet is capable of catching between two and three times the maximum sustainable yield;
* fishermen must be made responsible and accountable for the sustainable use of a public resource.
* the goal of ecological sustainability must be placed before economic and social sustainability, since it is the precondition which makes them possible;
* there has to be a clearer hierarchy in the decision-making process between principles and implementation, so as to simplify regulation at EU level and encourage regional management solutions whenever possible;
* the CFP will have to be aligned with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which has recently come into force, and which obliges Member States to ensure the good environmental status of the seas under their jurisdiction by 2020;
* Europe needs a joined-up approach to fisheries management, which would include onshore and market dimensions of the industry alongside the capture sector and aquaculture, in line with the EU's new Integrated Maritime Policy and its focus on sustainable growth in coastal regions.

One would think that point 3 would be obvious, but for nearly 25 years the member state governments (who negotiate the quotas) have invariably set the quotas above what is considered sustainable.

[spidermom]

if it ends up as a fully transparent and WELL and EFFECTIVELY regulated protection of fishing stocks I will have no problem!!!Ibis may be right and this will occur.My natural cynicism of our fisherman being lokked after however leads me to believe it will not.Time will tell!!!!!