Communication from the Commission setting out a Community Action Plan to integrate environmental protection requirements into the Common Fisheries Policy
Date: 2002-05-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: common fisheries policy, environmental protection, fishery management, sustainable development

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 28.5.2002
COM (2002) 186 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION

setting out a Community Action Plan to integrate environmental protection
requirements into the Common Fisheries Policy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Introduction.............................................................................................................. 3

Objective.................................................................................................................. 3

Guiding Principles.................................................................................................... 3

Priority measures...................................................................................................... 4

Complementary measures......................................................................................... 5

Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 6

Consultation ............................................................................................................. 6

Targets and timetables (Work Programme)............................................................... 6

Review ..................................................................................................................... 6

ANNEX ................................................................................................................................. 7

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1.

INTRODUCTION

Integration of environmental protection requirements into Community policies is an
obligation under Article 6 of the Treaty. This document responds to the invitation to the
Commission, made by the Fisheries Council in the context of its conclusions of 25 April 2001
on the integration of environmental concerns and sustainable development into the Common
Fisheries Policy,
integration within the
framework of reform of the CFP.

to present concrete proposals on environmental

On the basis of an analysis of the existing situation and the international debate on responsible
fishing1, the Commission has already set out its ideas on environmental integration in a
number of policy documents2. The purpose of this document is to translate such ideas into an
Action Plan comprising objectives and principles, means, targets and timetables to enable the
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)
In
elaborating this Action Plan, the Commission has taken into account the conclusions of the
Council and of the European Parliament and also the opinion of the Advisory Committee on
Fisheries Management and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries
on the above-mentioned policy documents.

to address environmental challenges efficiently.

2.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this Action Plan is to integrate environmental protection requirements into
the CFP by defining guiding principles, management measures and a work programme, , with
a view to promoting sustainable development.

3.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Environmental integration in the CFP is based on the following principles:

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the CFP contributes to the achievement of the environmental objectives set out in
Article 174 of the EC Treaty, without prejudice to its economic and social objectives;

the CFP is based on the principles of precaution, prevention, rectification at source
and the polluter pays;

the CFP aims at a progressive implementation of an ecosystem-based approach, to
the extent permitted by scientific knowledge;

the Community maintains the same level of commitment to these principles in its
own fisheries management decisions and at the international level.

As illustrated by the discussions which led to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing.
COM(1999)363 (nature conservation and fisheries management), COM(2001)143 (Elements for an
integration strategy), COM(2001)162 (BAP)

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4.

PRIORITY MEASURES

Management action within the CFP aimed at the integration of environmental protection
requirements should give the highest priority to:

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within the framework of multi-annual management plans, a reduction in fishing
pressure on fishing grounds to sustainable levels;. where possible, and on the basis of
scientific advice, this reduction should target fishing activities having adverse effects
both on the sustainability of fish stocks and on the favourable conservation status of
non-commercial species and habitats;

an improvement of fishing methods with a view to reducing discards, incidental by-
catch and impact on habitats. In the coming months, the Commission shall devise an
Action Plan on discards and appropriate proposals to protect sharks, cetaceans and
sea birds from adverse effects of fishing.

the elimination of public aid for the modernisation or renewal of the fishing fleet
except for aid to improve safety or product quality not likely to increase fishing
capacity.

In addition, the CFP should address the following issues:

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in the Biodiversity Action Plan for Fisheries3 and not
the measures set out
specifically mentioned in this communication; special attention should be given to
the setting up of long-term management plans for the most important and the most
vulnerable fish stocks, the identification of key habitats and biotopes, the setting up
of temporal and spatial closures including “no take zones” and the development of
guidelines for Best Fishing Practice;

measures to stimulate fishing practices adding value to environmental integration, as
set out in Articles 13 to 15 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the
detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the
fisheries sector. To achieve this, Member States and the Commission should
collaborate in the framework of the partnership envisaged in Article 8 of Regulation
1260/99 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds;

the improvement of scientific assessment of the state of fish stocks, both in
Community and non-Community waters;

the integration of environmental policy concerns into the aquaculture sector;

the adoption of a Community strategy for distant water fisheries to contribute to
through global and bilateral
sustainable fishing outside Community waters
partnership at national and/or regional level.

As a complement to the above-mentioned priority management actions within the CFP,
Member States should endeavour to fulfil, within the shortest deadlines, their obligations
concerning the nature protection Directives4, especially those regarding the designation and

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COM(2001)164, vol. IV
Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds and Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation
of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

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management of marine areas forming part of the Nature 2000 framework. Whenever the
the Commission
fulfilment of these obligations requires fishery management measures,
should be informed. It will then examine whether it is appropriate to present proposals to the
Council.

5.

COMPLEMENTARY MEASURES

In order to reinforce the process of integration and accelerate its implementation,
following actions should be undertaken:

the

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within the 6th Framework Programme for Community research, the Commission will
aim to stimulate the better understanding of the marine ecosystems with a view to a
progressive
fisheries
management;

implementation of

ecosystem-based

approach

an

to

the Commission will extend management measures to the protection of non-
commercial species and habitats from the effects of
fishing and aquaculture
activities, and study the operational requirements of a full application of the
precautionary principle to all aspects of the CFP implying environmental risks;

the Commission will analyse the consequences of the application of the principles of
prevention, rectification at source and polluter-pays in the field of fisheries and
aquaculture;

within the provisions set out
in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1543/2000
establishing a Community framework for the collection and management of the data
needed to conduct the CFP, and in support to the obligations emanating from the
conservation requirements under Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC, Member
States should initiate studies and pilot projects regarding the collection of basic
information on the relationships of capture fisheries and aquaculture with the
environment;

the Commission and Member States should collaborate closely to progress in
implementing programmes for integrated coastal zone management as a tool to deal
with the complex and sensitive aspects of sustainable development in coastal areas;

within their programmes of dissemination of information and awareness raising, the
Commission and Member States should pay special attention to keeping stakeholders
and the wider public well informed about the situation of fisheries and aquaculture in
the marine ecosystem and the rationale, implementation and results of Community
measures in the field of environmental integration;

obligations within

the Commission will consider the use of trade measures compatible with the
Community’s
and
environmentally-sound fishing practices. Measures adopted in international fora,
whether or not binding on the EU, will be examined with a view to their
implementation by the Community;

the WTO to

sustainable

promote

Member States and the Commission will consider the potential for eco-labels to
stimulate environmentally sound fishing practices;

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–

whenever human activities not covered by the CFP are proven to have an harmful
impact on the marine environment likely to result in decreased productivity and fish
yields or in the quality and fitness of catches or aquaculture production,
the
Commission and Member States should call
the attention of the appropriate
authorities to the problem with a view to remedial action.

6.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The process of integration of environmental protection requirements within the CFP should be
monitored by means of a system based on indicators. In order to implement such a system,

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as a first step, the Commission will consult the Scientific, Technical and Economic
Committee for Fisheries on the possibility to define, on an experimental basis, and
taking into account the progress achieved by relevant bodies, preliminary indicators
of the environmental performance of fisheries management. On the basis of STECF
advice, the Commission will design an experimental monitoring system based on
such indicators, to become operational during 2003;

on the basis of that experimental monitoring system, the Commission will submit to
the Council and the European Parliament before 31 December 2005 a report on the
environmental performance of the CFP;

within the sixth research framework programme, and in close collaboration with
research bodies and environmental agencies, Member States are invited to stimulate
the study of the performance of the above-mentioned monitoring system to deliver
relevant information for the CFP, with a view to its development towards a more
comprehensive monitoring system including benchmarks and indicators of driving
forces, pressure, state, impact and response (DPSIR).

7.

CONSULTATION

Any decisions taken in the context of environmental integration should include the widest
possible consultation with stakeholders at the earliest stages of the decision-taking process,
especially in the framework of the Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture
(ACFA) and, where relevant, the Regional Advisory Councils.

8.

TARGETS AND TIMETABLES (WORK PROGRAMME)

Implementation of this Action Plan should be carried out as outlined in the Annex.

9.

REVIEW

In its reports in 2005, the Commission will consider whether a revision of the actions, targets
and deadlines set out above is necessary.

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Management
measures

Reduction of overall fishing
pressure

ANNEX

Targets and associated timetables

Observations

New legislation comprising 1) the general framework for
the management of fishing capacity, and 2) specific
legislation to reduce fishing effort on fisheries subject to
emergency measures, recovery plans or multi-annual
management programmes, to be adopted before end of
2002.

Specific reduction targets and
mechanisms shall be set up, for fleet
segments or by fishery, in implementing
legislation.

Reduction of fishing pressure is in any
case required to ensure sustainability of
commercial stocks but at the same time
is essential for environmental
integration.

Improve fishing methods to
reduce discards, incidental by-
catch and impact on the sea bed.

New set of technical measures specifically addressing
discard reduction before 31 December 2003.

This may include the setting of discard
bans.

New set of technical conservation measures designed to
reduce by-catch of cetaceans to levels guaranteeing
favourable conservation status of cetacean populations,
before 31 December 2002

Both by-catch and population sizes to be
estimated on the basis of scientific
advice.

Designation of protected areas where bottom trawls and
similar towed gear operating on the bottom are
prohibited before 31 December 2004.

Some of these measures may be taken in
the context of Natura 2000 sites.

Implement Community Action Plans to manage sharks
and protect seabirds in the context of FAO IPOAs
Propose legislation before end of 2003.

Eliminate public aid for
modernisation

Amendment to Regulation 2792/1999 to be adopted
before end of 2002.

Defend objectives and principles
in international fora

Present proposals specifically designed to protect non-
commercial species and habitats in each Regional
Fisheries Organisations where EC is a member.

As a first step, the EC initiatives to
protect sharks should be promoted
within ICCAT

Implement the Biodiversity
Action Plan for Fisheries
(BAPF).

Achieve full implementation of all the actions specified
in the BAPF by 31 December 2006.

Progress will be concomitant with
development of scientific knowledge

Measures adding value to
environmental integration
(Articles 13 to 15 and 17 of
Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999)

The Commission will consult, for the first time before
the end of 2003, the European-level organisations
defined in Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999
and other relevant stakeholders, such as the Regional
Advisory Councils on possible measures

Examples: litter projects, re-stocking,
contribution to environmental
monitoring. .

Principles and guidelines for
integration in the sector of
aquaculture

Strategy for distant water
fisheries

Legal framework adopted before the end of 2003.
Implementing legislation finalised before end of 2005.

Adoption before end of 2003.

Further fulfilment of Habitats
and Birds Directives

Natura 2000 sites at sea and associated management
measures to be completed before end of 2004.

Monitoring of populations of marine species of Annex
IV of Directive 92/43/EEC. Aim at full monitoring and
complete report to Commission for the first time before
end of 2003, without prejudice to the existing legal
obligations.

This is an obligation for Member States
in accordance with Article 12(4) of
Directive 92/43

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Management
measures

Better understanding of marine
ecosystems

Targets and associated timetables

Observations

Specific target to ensure, by 2004, Community
participation in all scientific fora dealing with the
structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The
Commission shall specify this item among the fields of
work eligible for Community funding.

Development of operational
procedures to apply principles
of precaution, prevention,
rectification at source and
polluter pays to fisheries.

Permanent task, in collaboration with scientific fora and
Regional Fisheries Organisations. As intermediate target,
the Commission will present a progress report by the end
of 2004

Pilot projects on the collection
of basic information on the
effects of fishing and
aquaculture on the environment

Based on these studies, the Commission shall review,
before 31 December 2003, whether it is appropriate to
extend the obligations set up by Council Regulation
(EC) No 1543/2000, in order to cover the relationship
between fisheries and aquaculture with the environment

Target and deadlines already existing
(Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No
1543/2000

Use of trade measures to
promote environmental
integration

Debate on eco-labels

Implementation as measures are adopted at international
fora..

Effectiveness of trade measures requires
international decisions.

Following presentation of a Communication by the
Commission, Council shall issue conclusions before end
of 2003.

Indicators of environmental
integration

Pilot system in place during 2003. First report by the
Commission before the end of 2005. Comprehensive
indicator scheme before the end of 2006.

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