REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

on Member States' efforts during 2013 to achieve a sustainable balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities



Overall conclusions

Evidence from Member States shows continued progress in the adjustment of fishing capacity of the Member States' fleets in relation to the available fish resources. Member States measures which have been applied in the past, together with the Union's efforts to improve the state of the resources, have contributed, over time, to achieving the balance in many fleet segments between fishing capacity and the fishing opportunities.

The most recent analysis by Member States (reports over 2013) on the balance between capacity and fishing opportunities also reveal the fleet segments where Member States identified structural overcapacity. For these segments the Member States are obliged to develop action plans with the measures and a time line to eliminate the overcapacity. Not all Member States affected by overcapacity have prepared action plans. This is currently examined by the Commission in the context of the negotiation of the new Operational Programmes (OP) that Member States prepare for the implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 (EMFF) .

To enable the removal of overcapacity, the Member States concerned have programmed among others permanent cessation measures in their EMFF OPs. Some Member States also continue to use funds available under the European Fisheries Fund 2007-2013 (EFF).

Fleet ceilings are no limiting condition in any of the MS, as (licenced) capacity is nowhere reaching 100%. Nonetheless, this does not allow for increase of capacity, because of the entry-exit regime: no new capacity can be introduced unless the same capacity is removed from the fleet. Non-active vessels are part of the (licenced) capacity under the fleet ceilings. Activation of this non-active capacity is possible, and has the potential to increase the active fishing capacity and therewith the fishing pressure, particularly in situations where fishing opportunities are not limited.

Considering the dynamic nature of both the fishing activities of the Union fleets, and of the resources which are exploited, and given the low level of vessel utilization, it remains important to monitor closely the fleet capacity developments in light of the fish resources and the policy measures related to them.

Legal framework and Member State obligations

Under the new Common Fisheries Policy the Member States have to take measures to adjust the fishing capacity of their fleet to their fishing opportunities over time with the objective of achieving a stable and enduring balance between them. Capacity of the individual Member States cannot increase, due to the entry-exit regime, and should always remain under the fixed capacity ceilings.

Member States have to prepare an annual report on the fishing capacity . The Commission has provided guidelines for the preparation of these reports, which were followed by most Member States. If a Member State identifies a structural imbalance, it has to prepare and submit an action plan for the segment(s) concerned, setting out the adjustment targets, tools and a clear time-frame for its implementation. In 2014 the Commission received from Member States six action plans (Annex III). However, discussions are ongoing with some other Member States who have not set out action plans whilst the results of the assessment of their fleets would normally lead to the establishment of such plans.

The assessment of structural imbalance is closely linked to the implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF): support to permanent cessation under the EMFF is only possible for fleet segments in imbalance, and support for the replacement of vessel engines is only possible for fleet segments in balance.

The state of the fishing fleet capacity in the Union

Overall, fleet capacity has been further reduced in recent years. However, in some segments imbalances remain.

Between 1 July 2013 and 1 January 2015 the fishing capacity of the EU 28 Member States decreased by 1,1 % in kilowatts (KW) and increased by 0.3 % in gross tonnage (GT). This increase can be explained by the accession of Croatia in 2014. Not counting the Croatian fleet, the EU fishing capacity was reduced by 4% in GT and by 3.3% in engine power (KW) in the period 2012-beginning 2015, with a reduction in the number of vessels by 3.9.

On 1 January 2014, 86.879 vessels were registered in the EU fleet register with an overall capacity of 1.658.033 GT and 6.573.806 KW. This shows a reduction since 2012 (excluding vessels registered in Croatia and in the outermost regions) of 7,8% in number of vessels, 1,6% in GT and 5,4 % in KW (Annex I). The fishing capacity of the EU fleet was 16.4% below the capacity ceilings for tonnage and 10.5 % below the power ceilings.