COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Consultation on the fishing opportunities for 2017 under the Common Fisheries Policy
Date: 2016-06-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, catch quota, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, fishing controls, fishing fleet, fishing rights, sea fishing

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 15.6.2016  COM(2016) 396 final   COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Consultation on the fishing opportunities for 2017 under the Common Fisheries Policy {SWD(2016) 199 final}  
 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

Consultation on the fishing opportunities for 2017 

under the Common Fisheries Policy 

INTRODUCTION 

This  Communication  sets  out  the  principles  for  the  Commission  proposals  for  fishing 
opportunities for 2017.  Member States,  Advisory Councils, stakeholders and the public 
are invited to provide suggestions on these policy orientations by 1 September 2016. This 
Communication  also  contains  the  annual  report  on  implementation  of  the  landing 
obligation, progress on achieving MSY and the situation of fish stocks1. 

Fishing opportunities for 2017 will be fixed under the 2014 CFP objectives and based on 
the  best  available  scientific  advice2.  Under  the  CFP,  the  fishing  pressure  on  stocks 
concerned  should  be  aligned  as  soon  as  possible,  and  by  2020  at  the  latest,  to  the 
objective of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) under Article 2.2 of the CFP. Where no 
scientific advice  is  available, the  Commission  will  apply the  precautionary  approach  in 
line with the CFP objectives.  

This Communication is set against the background of the agreement reached by the co-
legislators  in  early  2016  on  a  multiannual  plan  for  stocks  in  the  Baltic  Sea3.  This  plan 
will form the basis for the TAC proposals for the stocks concerned.  

For  the  Mediterrean,  although  fishing  opportunities  are  not  fixed  at  EU  level  through 
TAC4, overfishing remains prevalent. The Commission considers that urgent actions are 
needed to reverse this situation. 

An additional element to be considered is the introduction of the landing obligation, in 
the Baltic and in the pelagic fisheries (2015), and gradually in specific demersal fisheries 
in the Atlantic and North Sea basin (2016). In 2017 more fisheries will be covered in the 
latter sea basins, as well as demersal fleets in the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins.  

AGREEMENT ON A MULTIANNUAL PLAN FOR BALTIC STOCKS  

An  important  step  towards  achieving  the  CFP  objectives  is  the  agreement  of  the 
European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  the  proposal  for  a  multiannual  plan  for  the 
Baltic Sea. The plan specifies targets for MSY with deadlines for the stocks concerned 
and  introduces  fishing  mortality  ranges  consistent  with  achieving  MSY  (FMSY).  These 
ranges,  provided  for  by  scientific  advice5,  cover  all  levels  of  fishing  mortalities  which 
result in MSY in the long term in the Baltic Sea.  

The  FMSY  ranges  cover  two  parts.  Under  normal  circumstances  fishing  opportunities 
should be fixed within the part of the range with the lower values of FMSY. The part of the 
range with the higher values can be used for fixing the TAC in specific circumstances6: 
if,  on  the  basis  of  scientific  advice  or  evidence,  this  is  necessary  to  achieve  CFP 

1 As required under Articles 15(14) and 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of 11 December 2013 (OJ L 

354 of 28.12.2013). 

2 From ICES and where applicable from STECF  and SAC (Scientific Advisory Committee of the GFCM). 
3 Based on Commission proposal COM(2104) 614 final of 6 October 2014. 
4 With the exception of Bluefin tuna. 
5 Provided by ICES (International Council on the Exploration of the Seas). 
6 Provided that the stock is above the level that allows for fishing in accordance with MSY. 

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objectives  in  mixed  fisheries  situations  or  where  there  is  a  threat  of  serious  harm  to  a 
stock caused by intra- or inter-species stock dynamics.  The upper part of the range can 
also be used to limit year-to-year variations of the TAC (to a maximum of 20%). When a 
stock  falls  below  scientifically  determined  levels  remedial  measures  are  foreseen  to 
restore the stock above the level that allows producing long-term maximum sustainable 
yields.  

This  agreement  is  a  breakthrough  for  implementation  of  the  CFP,  which  considers  the 
adoption of multiannual plans a priority. Following this, the Commission will accelerate 
the development of proposals for multiannual plans for other EU sea basins.  

MEDITERRANEAN FISHERIES  

The Commission remains particularly concerned about the Mediterranean Sea. Many of 
the  assessed  stocks  are  fished  considerably  above  the  MSY  target  estimates.  The 
Mediterranean is facing significant challenges to achieve MSY for most stocks by 2020. 
The  Commission  has  called  upon  all  stakeholders  to  take  urgent  action  to  reverse  the 
trends  on  catches  and  biomass7.  All  involved  (Member  States,  international  bodies like 
the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), stakeholders) need to 
take responsibility and develop concrete measures to achieve sustainability.  

The  Commission  will  continue  to  promote  actions  through  the  GFCM  to  improve  the 
stocks  shared  with  third  countries  (e.g.  Strait  of  Sicily  demersal  stocks,  or  Ionian  and 
Aegean  seas  small  pelagic  and  demersal  stocks)  and  will  accelerate  the  preparation  of 
proposals for EU multiannual plans for stocks almost exclusively fished by EU fishermen 
(Adriatic  small  pelagic  fisheries  and  western  Mediterranean  demersal  fisheries).  In 
parallel, Member States should urgently finalize the review of the national management 
plans8 incorporating MSY targets.   

2017 PROPOSALS FOR TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES (TAC) 

Stocks with MSY assessment 

To achieve MSY by 2020 at the latest, the share of stocks fished at levels corresponding 
to  MSY  must  increase.    In  this  respect,  the  Commission  has  requested  the  scientific 
advisory bodies to monitor the evolution of the fishing mortality and state of the stocks in 
all EU sea basins in view of the 2020 objective of achieving MSY.  

An important step towards achieving this is the Commission's intention to propose TAC 
in line with achieving MSY in 2017. This will require a commitment by the Council to 
align its decisions to this approach.  MSY allows for the largest catch over an indefinite 
period without harming the stock.  

For  the  stocks  with  MSY  assessment  (except  for  the  Baltic  stocks),  for  the  2017  TAC 
proposals  the  Commission  intends  use  the  available  point  values  for  MSY  until  new 
multiannual plans have been adopted for other sea basins. 

A  delay  in  reaching  MSY  beyond  2017  would  only  be  acceptable  under  well-
substantiated  circumstances  where  very  large  reductions  of  fishing  opportunities  would 
seriously jeopardize the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleets involved.  
In these exceptional cases, the Commission expects Member States concerned to provide 
tangible evidence of such social and economic impacts.  

7 At a high-level seminar in Catania on the status of the stocks in the Mediterranean, in February 2016. 
8 Adopted under Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006. 

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The  increase  in  the  number  of  fish  stocks  being  fished  in  accordance  with  MSY,  more 
robust  stocks  and  the  prospect  of  higher  yield,  coincides  with  an  improved  general 
situation  in  terms  of  the  economic  performance  of  the  EU  fleet.  An  example  of  EU 
fisheries  showing  increased  returns  from  sustainable  fishing  is  the  North  Sea  sole  and 
plaice  fishery.  The  economic  performance  of  plaice-dependent  fleets  improved 
significantly  under  the  management  plan  which  moved  the  fishery  to  MSY.  Since  the 
stock has been exploited at MSY, landings per unit effort and value per unit effort have 
increased  for  all  segments,  especially  the  British  and  Dutch  trawlers.  A  positive 
economic trend is also observed in some fleets involved in the haddock fisheries. Details 
are provided in the Staff Working Document accompanying this Communication.  

Where existing multiannual plans are consistent with fishing in accordance with MSY in 
2017, they should be applied. For plans which are no longer compatible with the MSY 
objective, e.g. because they include a less ambitious objective, the Commission intends 
to adopt proposals for TAC on the basis of MSY in 2017.  

For (MSY-assessed) stocks shared with third countries the Commission continues to seek 
agreement  with  our  partners  based  on  the  same  approach.  For  stocks  managed  through 
Regional  Fisheries  Management  Organizations  (RFMOs)  the  Commission  follows  the 
approach laid down by Council in negotiation directives for RFMOs, following the same 
standards and principles as in the EU. 

Other stocks 

For  stocks  without  full  MSY  assessment  alternative  parameters  are  considered.  TAC 
proposals  will  be  based  on  the  available  biological  advice,  without  jeopardising  the 
conservation of the stocks. For these stocks, a number of different cases can be identified. 

Stocks with data available to determine MSY proxies 

These  stocks  are  assessed  with  trend  forecast  models,  and  ICES  delivers  quantitative 
catch advice9. The approach will be similar as for stocks with full MSY assessment. 

Stocks with survey-assessed trends or with catch time series 

In absence of MSY assessment, scientific advice proposes catch limits. The Commission 
will use the ICES advice on these stocks and will consider the situation on a case-by-case 
basis,  applying  the  precautionary  approach  and  proposing  commensurate  reductions  as 
required. 

Stocks with a presumption of stability 

In  2013,  Council  decided  to  maintain  TAC  unchanged  until  2018  for  26  stocks  unless 
biological advice calls for adjustment. Generally, these are stocks exploited as by-catches 
only,  with  low  levels  of  quota  uptake,  of  low  economic  importance,  and  with  limited 
information  on  stock  status.  The  Commission  intends  to  continue  with  this  approach, 
taking into account possible ICES indications for review and proposing TAC adjustments 
where this would be in line with such advice. 

Stocks without biological advice 

In the absence of biological advice, appropriate TAC proposals under the precautionary 
approach should be applied in a systematic, predefined and transparent way, in line with 
Article 2(2) of the CFP. ICES is working to further develop tools to fill existing gaps. 

TACs and the obligation to land all catches 

9 Based on a proxy for MSY. 

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Under the CFP rules, fishing opportunities for stocks falling under the landing obligation 
should  be  fixed  taking  into  account  catches  rather  than  landings,  based  on  biological 
advice. This should not jeopardise the MSY objective or increase the fishing mortality.  

Feedback  from  operators  and  Member  States  has  underlined  the  importance  of  these 
TAC adjustments to avoid the so-called choke species effect – situations where the full 
uptake  of  quota  for  one  stock  could  lead  to  interruption  of  the  fishery  despite  the 
availability of quota for other stocks.  TAC adjustments are part of the overall package of 
measures  to  implement  the  landing  obligation,  including  improved  quota  swapping 
strategies  and  continued  limited  discarding  under  survivability  and  de  minimis 
exemptions.  The  adjustment  of  technical  measures  and  the  regionalized  adaptation  of 
selectivity  and  avoidance  approaches  must  also  play  a  significant  role  to  avoid  choke 
species  effects  in  the  future.  The  Commission's  proposal  for  a  new  technical  measures 
framework10 further contributes to alleviating this problem. 

Member States groups in the different sea basins are preparing for the further phasing in 
of  the  landing  obligation  in  2017,  for  which  the  further  coverage  of  meaningful  stocks 
that  define  the  fisheries  as  listed  in  Article  15(1)  of  the  2014  CFP  is  expected.  As  in 
2016,  the  Commission  envisages  TAC  adjustments  for  stocks  falling  under  the  landing 
obligation  as  of  2017.  The  Commission  will  submit  the  method  used  to  calculate  last 
year's  TAC  adjustments  to  its  Scientific,  Technical  and  Economic  Committee  for 
Fisheries (STECF) for advice. When no validated or complete discard data are available, 
the  Commission  intends  to  calculate  the  TAC  adjustments  on  the  basis  of  data 
extrapolations where this is methodologically acceptable.  

There  is  no  need  for  adjustments  of  TACs  in  2017  for  stocks  or  catches  for  which  the 
landing obligation enters into force in later years. Where TAC adjustments are envisaged 
for  stocks  jointly  managed  with  international  partners  (third  countries,  RFMOs), 
adjustments are subject to consultation and negotiations with these partners. 

DEVELOPMENT OF STATE OF STOCKS 

Progress in achieving MSY 

To report on the progress in achieving MSY, the STECF assessed progress of the MSY 
targets  on  an  individual  stock  basis,  and  per  sea  basin.  This  assessment  provides 
indications on  numbers  of  stocks  fished  in  line  with  MSY,  on  overall fishing  mortality 
levels, and on relevant biomass parameters. The Staff Working Document accompanying 
this Communication provides details of the 2016 STECF analysis11.  

Overall and regional assessment 
According  to  STECF,  overall  there  has  been  progress  towards  MSY12.  In  all  the  TAC 
regions the rate of fishing above MSY has decreased considerably. Fishing13 compared to 
FMSY was at 104% in 2014 (down from 147% in 2003 and 120% in 2008). The strongest 
performance is observed in the (greater) North Sea, where the mean fishing mortality of 
the fleets was 92% compared to FMSY in 2014 (148% in 2003; 123% in 2008). Despite 
significant downward trends, other regions and fisheries are still experiencing overfishing 
compared to FMSY.  

10 COM(2016) 134 final of 11 March 2016. 
11  STECF  report  "Monitoring  the  performance  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy"  (STECF-16-05)  -  JRC 

scientific and policy reports, 2016. 

12 STECF-16-05, table 7. 
13  Model-based  overall  mean,  see  for  details  the  Staff  Working  Document  accompanying  this 

Communicatiosn. 

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The  2015  Communication  on  the  fishing  opportunities14  reported  32  out  of  62  MSY-
assessed  stocks  fished  in  accordance  with  MSY  in  201315.  This  year's  STECF  report16 
analyzes that 31 out of a total of 59 MSY-assessed stocks were fished in accordance with 
MSY  in  201417.  While  reporting  on  2013  and  2014  data,  the  STECF  report  seems  to 
indicate that the historical trend of strong progress towards MSY may be slowing down. 
This  may  not  necessarily  be  due  to  overfishing  alone  but  also  due  to  changing 
environmental conditions or other biological factors.   

Nonetheless,  in  the  Mediterranean  and  in  the  Black  Sea,  stocks  are  largely  overfished 
and/or  in  a  bad  state.  In  the  Mediterranean  this  is  particularly  the  case  for  stocks 
exploited mainly or exclusively by EU operators.  

Baltic Sea 

In  the  Baltic  Sea  for  2016    four  TAC  were  set  at  MSY  (western  and  central  herring, 
plaice)  or  below  MSY  (main  basin  salmon).  The  TAC  for  western  cod,  which  was 
reduced for a number of years, was decreased again by 20% in 2016, the stock continues 
to give cause for concern.  

TAC reductions for Gulf of Bothnia herring (-24%), Gulf of Riga herring (-10%), sprat (-
5%) and a roll over for Gulf of Finland salmon will move the fishing in the direction of 
MSY. The Gulf of Finland salmon has a precautionary TAC and eastern cod is under the 
data-poor approach. The TAC for the Main basin salmon is kept stable at a low level with 
the aim to contribute further to improve the stocks in the weakest salmon rivers. 

North Sea 

Cod will be fished for the first time in accordance with MSY in 2016, allowing a 15% 
increase  of  the  TAC,  and  the  stock  is  now  recovering  to  levels  observed  in  the  mid-
1980s.  The  haddock  and  saithe  2016  TAC  are  again  in  accordance  with  MSY.  This 
allowed for a 30% increase for haddock, but required a 6% reduction for saithe. TAC for 
Nephrops in the Skagerrak, Fladen grounds, Firth of Forth and Moray Firth will be fished 
in accordance with MSY.  

The  other  stocks  are  either  fished  above  FMSY,  or  lack  MSY  assessment.  The  Kattegat 
cod remains at a low level but the biomass has increased since 2009. 

North-east Atlantic pelagic stocks 

Most herring stocks (North Sea, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea) are fished in accordance with 
MSY, with corresponding 2016 TAC for these stocks. The situation is also positive for 
southern and western horse mackerel and the TAC allows fishing at levels corresponding 
to MSY in 2016. 

Based  on  the  2014  Arrangement  between  the  Faroe  Islands,  Norway  and  the  EU  for 
sustainable  management  of  mackerel,  and  taking  into  account  a  management  strategy 
submitted to ICES in  2016, a TAC  for 2016 corresponding to 20 %  less than the 2015 
level was agreed. The fishery remains above FMSY. For blue whiting no arrangement is in 
place between the Coastal States. The EU and Faroe Islands based their unilateral quotas 
on  the  FMSY  level,  while  Norway  and  Iceland  based  their  quotas  on  a  higher  figure. 
In 2016 the fishery will be well above FMSY. No Coastal States arrangement is in place 
for Atlanto-scandian herring, but all 5 Parties agreed to base their unilateral quotas on the 

14 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Consultation on the 
fishing opportunities for 2016 under the Common Fisheries Policy, COM(2015)239 final, 2.6.2015. 

15 Based on ICES 2014 advice using 2013 stock information. 
16 STECF – 16-05, tables 2, 3 and 4. 
17 Based on ICES 2015 advice using 2014 stock information. 

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FMSY  level.  The  2016  fishery  will  be  slightly  above  FMSY,  because  of  higher  Faroes 
unilateral quota. 

Iberian-Atlantic area and the Bay of Biscay 

The northen hake stock continues a growing trend. The southern hake and megrim stocks 
are above safe biological limits but fished above MSY. Anglerfish is fished sustainably 
and  in  good  shape.  Nephrops  (Cantabrian  Sea  and  northern  Iberian  Peninsula)  are  still 
depleted, but in the south the stock is stable or increasing.  

Anchovy in the Bay of Biscay is fished sustainably, the stock is fully reproductive and 
above  the  recent  average  size.  Fishing  mortality  of  sole  has  increased  recently,  but  the 
stock is within  safe limits. Only a limited number of stock assessments is  available for 
the Bay of Biscay and Iberian-Atlantic Seas. 

West of Scotland, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea 

Haddock stocks west of Scotland and in the Irish Sea have shown improvement, but cod 
and  whiting  remain  at  low  levels  with  high  fishing  mortality  and  discard  levels. 
Technical  measures  were  developed  by  Member  States  and  industry  to  reduce  cod 
mortality and to avoid unwanted catches (e.g. in the Irish Sea). Significant efforts will be 
needed to solve potential difficulties of the landing obligation. More efforts are required 
to improve the knowledge and analytical assessment for several stocks, e.g. whiting and 
cod in area VI and Irish Sea cod. 

In  the  Celtic  Sea  cod  and  haddock  TAC  were  reduced  as  a  result  of  recent  high 
recruitments  disappearing.  Improved  recruitment  in  2013  should  lead  to  a  higher  cod 
biomass for 2017. For haddock, discarding is still a problem, although it has decreased 
among  others  helped  by  mandatory  avoidance  devices.  For  whiting  (subject  to  the 
landing  obligation  in  2016)  the  TAC  was  increased  substantially.  The  majority  of  the 
Nephrops  stocks  are  now  subject  to  MSY  advice.  The  Porcupine  bank  Nephrops 
continues to be managed with a sub-TAC and seasonal closure. 

Several stocks, including cod in the Irish Sea and Nephrops in parts of area IX are at very 
low levels. Sole in the eastern Channel is still in poor shape and a management strategy 
was put in place in 2015 to recover the stock. 

Deep-sea species 

Fishing  opportunities  for  deep-sea  stocks  are  fixed  under  a  two-year  cycle  and  in 
November  TAC  will  be  negotiated  for  2017  and  2018.  The  Commission  is  monitoring 
the Member States' commitments made for 2015 and 2016 and will continue to take into 
account the stocks' particular characteristics.  

Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea  

In the Mediterranean Sea, certain fish stocks are mostly exploited by EU fishing vessels, 
while others are jointly exploited with non-EU countries. The overall level of overfishing 
18. Around 9% of stocks are fished at levels below 
is broadly between 2 and 3 times FMSY
MSY,  and  9%  of  stocks  are  exploited  at  levels  close  to  MSY19.  Despite  recent 
improvements, the number of stocks with unknown status remains large. For stocks such 
as  hake,  red  mullet,  black-bellied  anglerfish  and  blue  whiting  current  fishing  mortality 
rates  have  been  up  to  six  times  higher  than  MSY.  The  Commission  is  working  on 

18 For details see the Staff Working Doucment accompanying this Communication. 

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improved data collection for all relevant stocks, and has requested STECF for advice on 
new stocks.  

For stocks shared with third countries the situation is even more challenging. Actions are 
being prepared both at EU and international level for measures towards MSY targets. 

In terms of the economic impact of moving towards MSY, the same potential gains from 
sustainable  fishing  identified  in  the  North  Sea  and  Atlantic  can  be  found  also  in 
Mediterranean  fisheries,  where  stocks  are  particularly  depleted  and  where  fishing 
mortality must significantly decrease to fall below FMSY.  

There are examples of Mediterranean fisheries where stocks are being exploited at rates 
consistent  with  achieving  MSY  and  fleets  are  showing  positive  trends,  particularly  in 
landings  (deep  sea  pink  shrimp  and  red  mullet  in  the  Southern  and  Central  Tyrrhenian 
Sea).  Given  the  highly  mixed  nature  of  Mediterranean  fisheries,  the  effects  of  stock 
recovery  are  not  immediately  visible  in  profitability  and  employment  for  a  variety  of 
reasons including market conditions and price fluctuations. 

At  the  high-level  meeting  on  the  status  of  the  Mediterranean  stocks  (Catania,  February 
2016),  it  was  agreed  that  urgent  action  is  needed  to  reverse  the  declining  trends, 
considering  the  large  challenge  to  achieve  MSY  for  all  stocks  by  2020.    It  was  agreed 
that  Member  States  and  stakeholders  must  work  together  with  the  Commission  to 
identify key stocks and fisheries for action, appropriate tools for each and a timeframe to 
reverse  the  declining  trend:  the  implementation  and  enforcement  of  current  rules  and 
increased data collection, availability and analysis was identified. 

The Black Sea still faces imporant challenges of governance and resource management, 
partly due to the sharing of stocks with third countries. The Commission will continue to 
work with Member States and the GFCM on improvements.   

REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LANDING OBLIGATION
Regulation  2015/812  ('Omnibus')21  introduced  an  obligation  for  the  Commission  to 
report  annually  on  the  implementation  of  the  landing  obligation22.  This  report  covers 
2015,  and  is  based  on  information  from  Member  States,  Advisory  Councils  and  other 
sources (industry associations, NGOs). 

20 

Overall  Member  States  use  a  wide  range  of  measures  to  promote  compliance  with  the 
landing  obligation,  including  websites,  discussion  forums,  guidance  publications,  and 
consultation on new requirements. Some Member States have actively informed, others 
are adjusting domestic licencing and quota management or exploring simplified fisheries 
management  and  reduced  regulatory  burden  on  fishermen.  Industry's  understanding  of 
the obligations was hampered by the delays in the so-called Omnibus Regulation. 

On control and compliance some Member States delayed enforcement until adoption of 
the  Omnibus  Regulation,  but  generally  compliance  started  in  January  2015.  This  has 
helped  to  gain  experience  on  the  reality  of  the  landing  obligation,  despite  uncertainty 
about Member States enforcement. Control and compliance was generally characterized 
as 'learning by doing', with room for improvement and adaptation. Support was provided 

19 One stock of sardine (located in the South of Sicily) and one stock of deep-water rose shrimp (distributed 

in the Ligurian and North Tyrrhenian Sea). 

20  All  EU  coastal  MS  submitted  reports  and  contributions  were  received  from  BALTFISH,  PelAC, 

SWWAC, NSAC and MEDAC. 

21 Regulation (EU) 2015/812 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015. 
22 Article 15(14) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the CFP. 

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by the European Fisheries Control Agency, and Member States have worked together on 
joint  deployments  plans.  Member  States  are  regionally  identifying  risks  and  related 
monitoring  and  enforcement  strategies,  aiming  to  ensure  the  level  playing  field.  Few 
infringements are reported.  

In  preparation  of  the  2016  demersal  landing  obligation,  industry  and  authorities  are 
collaborating  in  trials  on  control  tools  (e.g.  remote  electronic  monitoring  and  CCTV), 
last-haul  analyses  to  examine  risk  of  non-compliance,  and  catch  trials  in  particular  for 
risk assessment plans. Discussions on interspecies flexibility were held in some regions. 

Assessing socio-economic impacts of the landing obligation is difficult at the early stage 
of  the  landing  obligation.  Some  projects  are  carried  out  on  economic  assessments. 
Reports raise the possible increased workload (handling, transport of unwanted catches), 
and  that  revenues  from  undersized  catch  sales  is  often  insufficient  to  cover  the  extra 
costs.  Small  pelagic  vessels  report  losses  when  catching  large  quantities  of  species  for 
which  they  have  no  quota:  industry  highlights  that  leasing  quota  is  considerably  more 
expensive than before.  

Few  specific  indications  are  available  on  the  need  for  adjustment  of  on-board  working 
conditions and storage facilities, but some information calls for specific needs, such as 
reviewing  fishing  practices  to  ensure  sufficient  rest  periods  for  the  crew,  and  issues 
related to vessel stability. On board freezer vessels changes include placing grids over the 
seawater outlets (to avoid pumping fish out) or sealing of the discard chutes. 

Landed undersized catches cannot be used for direct human consumption. The potential 
use  of  such  catches  depends  on  (local)  markets  and  demand  by  buyers  or  processing 
firms. Member States are expected to support industry in search of new outlets (including 
the  use  of  EMFF  funding);  no  significant  actions  were  reported.  Member  States  have 
asked for interpretation of the term 'direct human consumption', and the Commission has 
facilitated a dialogue on this. Improved selectivity and avoidance is expected to further 
reduce the levels of unwanted catches over time.  

Under  the  European  Fisheries  Fund  (2007-2013)  a  number  port  infrastructure  projects 
were  funded  in  view  of  the  landing obligation. Under  the  recently  adopted  Operational 
Programmes  2014-2020  for  the  European  Maritime  and  Fisheries  Fund  support  for  the 
implementation of the landing obligation is foreseen.  

At this early stage, no significant difficulties or major impacts on the fishing operations 
under the pelagic and Baltic landing obligation have been reported. In the context of the 
Baltic  multiannual  plan  an  agreed  adjustment  to  the  existing  margin  of  tolerance  in 
pelagic  industrial  fisheries  will  address  concerns  the  alledgedly  unworkable  current 
levels.  

In  summary,  significant  efforts  were  made  by  industry  and  administrations  to  meet  the 
requirements  of the landing  obligation so far.  The introduction  of the demersal landing 
obligation  from  2016  on  brings  the  so-called  choke  species  to  the  fore  as  a  main 
challenge to the success of implementation of the landing obligation. Industry concerns 
are  that  choke  species  may  lead  to  reduced  or  delayed  quota  swapping  –  an  important 
tool  in  the  adjustment  to  the  landing  obligation.  The  combination  of  implementation 
measures available under the CFP should contribute to alleviate the problem. However, 
managers  and  industry  will  need  to  cooperate  to  find  the  optimized  combination  of 
available measures in pursuit of a workable and viable landing obligation. Further details 
are provided in the Staff Working Document accompanying this Communication. 

9 

 
CONCLUSION 

The  Commission  will  continue  its  ambitious  implementation  of  the  2014  CFP  and  will 
generally propose fishing opportunities for 2017 in line with the MSY targets in the CFP, 
and to ensure achievement of its targets as soon as possible. The application of the first 
multiannual plan under the 2014 CFP sets the stage for progressive introduction of this 
priority  management  instrument  in  other  Union  sea  basins  as  a  means  to  facilitate  the 
achievement of the main objectives of the CFP. 

The European Union and its fleets are further progressing to sustainability and to achieve 
the MSY objective in a timely fashion. Progress in the trend in the northern waters may 
be  seemingly  slowing  down,  however,  with  continued  reduction  of  fishing  mortality 
across the board there are no indications that progress towards achieving the MSY 2020 
target  is  being  jeopardized.  The  situation  in  the  Mediterranean  is  very  different,  with 
slow  progress  both  in  the  knowledge  about  the  resources,  and  in  the  sustainable 
exploitation. The Union needs to intensify efforts in areas that show the slowest progress. 

With regards to the implementation landing obligation, no major problems have surfaced 
from the initial information from Member States and stakeholders on its introduction in 
2015.    However,  there  are  a  number  of  challenges  ahead  which  will  require  concerted 
efforts by both industry and administrations.  

SCHEDULE  

The planned timetable of work is as follows.  

Month(s) 

Action 

June – September 

Public consultation on the Communication 

May/June/October 

Stock advice by ICES 

July 

Seminar on stock advice with stakeholders 

September 

Adoption TAC proposals for the Baltic Sea 

October 

Council on TAC for the Baltic Sea 

Adoption TAC proposals for deep-sea stocks 

November 

Council on TAc for deep-sea stocks 

Adoption TAC proposals for Atlantic/North Sea/Black Sea 

December 

Council on TAC for Atlantic/North Sea/Black Sea 

10