Debate: EU Action Plan: protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries
Date: THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Virginijus Sinkevičius
Language: EN

It is important that these discussions are taking place publicly as they touch upon fundamental questions on how we see the future of our fisheries sector and of the natural resources on which this sector fully depends. Thanks to our common fisheries policy, we have already seen good results regarding the sustainable exploitation of commercial fisheries species.  Fishing at a sustainable level clearly pays off economically, and this is a collective achievement. First of all, due to the hard efforts of our fisheries across Europe – of which, of course, we can all be proud and which should encourage us to continue our efforts so that we can achieve such positive developments in all situations.  But fishing at sustainable levels will not be enough to keep fisheries economically viable. We must go beyond, and also look at how we can better preserve the ecosystems that allow fish stocks to thrive. Of course – let me be very clear about this – the degradation of the marine ecosystem is not provoked by fishing alone. This is why we are always looking at the ocean in a coherent and comprehensive manner, asking all sectors, all stakeholders, to step up and do their part. We know that our fishers cherish the sea. They are the guardians of the sea and we respect the role.  The Marine Action Plan is a part of the Fisheries and Ocean Package, which, as you know, looks at all challenges affecting Europe’s fisheries today. The state of the marine ecosystem depends on the need to ensure a level playing field within and outside the European Union, the dependency on fossil fuels and generational renewal. It is all about increasing resilience, and restoring biodiversity is one of the ways to make the fisheries sector more resilient, so that our fishermen and women can continue providing high-quality seafood.  This requires actions not only at EU level but also globally to enhance environmental standards at international level. In the Marine Action Plan, the Commission focuses on marine protected areas. When successfully implemented, marine protected areas offer large socio-economic benefits, especially for coastal communities and sectors like fisheries and tourism.  Your report calls for scientific studies regarding the establishment of marine protected areas. When preparing this action plan, the Commission based itself on scientific data, which is why we proposed a targeted regional approach adapted to the specific needs, realities and challenges in each region. We do not want a one-size-fits-all approach. We want regionalisation to work, and it starts to work – not as effectively as we, of course, have hoped for, but we have continued to firmly believe that this is the right way to go. That’s why our Marine Action Plan calls on Member States to step up their efforts.  Let me come back to the importance of science. Scientific studies show that increasing mesh sizes and minimum landing sizes enable the youngest fish to remain in the water, therefore increasing the chances for fish populations to reproduce.  The action plan includes specific measures in that regard. We want to encourage and finance more work and studies to design the most suitable management options, which can lead to healthier fish populations that will bring higher yields per fishing trip and allow reducing fuel consumption.  Again, the action plans include specific measures in that regard.  Concerning eel protection, we are on the same line and continue to count on your support. The Eel Regulation needs to be fully implemented to ensure an effective protection of this iconic species.  Finally, let me also say a few words on bottom trawling, which we have discussed extensively over the last year and which is only one area we address in our action plan. We do not propose a blanket ban on bottom fishing or any other technique, but we remain convinced that we need to move to less-damaging fishing techniques where possible and encourage massive innovation in this regard, funded for our fishers. Some of those techniques, they are already available and they are ready to be deployed more widely.  Honourable Members, I would like to thank you once again for the open and frank discussions we have had over the last year. A lot of follow-ups remain to be done, but I am convinced that with a constructive approach and close cooperation among all institutions and stakeholders, we will manage to make progress. The biggest winners of that are going to be our fishers and coastal communities across Europe. Thank you for your attention.