Debate: Future of fisheries in the Channel, North Sea, Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean
Date: MONDAY, 4 APRIL 2022
Speaker: Virginijus Sinkevičius
Language: EN

I cannot agree more that the impact of Brexit on the EU fishing sector goes well beyond the geographical area of the United Kingdom and affects our fisheries relations with other coastal states in the North-East Atlantic. I also agree that the relationship between the EU and the UK remains a cornerstone for fisheries governance in the North-East Atlantic. Looking at our relations with the UK, we knew from the start, that this first year of implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was going to be challenging.  However, I am pleased to highlight the successes that we have achieved in 2021. In this exceptional year, we have successfully concluded two rounds of consultations on fishing opportunities, first for 2021 and, in December, for 2022. We have set up the Specialised Committee on Fisheries and we have already started working with the UK on the many substantial issues which need to be addressed.  Furthermore, despite the numerous challenges we have made substantial progress in addressing concerns relating to licensing. Seamless access was ensured for the majority of the EU fleet and we will continue to work extremely hard to ensure that all fishermen who are entitled to a licence shall obtain one in full respect of the TCA, and notably the stability of access enshrined in our agreement with the UK.  We have channelled EU funds to the fisheries sector by adopting the Brexit Adjustment Reserve for the short-term adaptation and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for long-term structural adjustment.  Your motion for a resolution strongly calls on the UK to act in line with the letter and the spirit of the TCA. You are particularly concerned in this regard about those measures which the UK takes in its own waters, and that might diverge from the conditions in EU waters. Important examples here are technical measures or marine-protected areas. Let me reassure you that the Commission carefully scrutinises each notification that we receive on UK measures. The TCA sets out clear principles and conditions to be followed by both parties, and the Commission will not accept any breaches of this international agreement.  At the same time, we should also take care that we do not needlessly and prematurely escalate situations. Yes, we have not always seen eye-to-eye on everything and for some issues this continues to be the case. But we have, nevertheless, been able to work together constructively and pragmatically on various issues in the interests of sustainable fisheries management on both sides of the channel. And this is very important to set the tone for our close cooperation in the years to come. And it is one important contributing factor to the overall relationship we have with the UK.  Therefore, I fully endorse your resolution’s call for an implementation of the TCA based on good faith. This will also help pave the way for a constructive and cooperative relationship after 2026, when the transition period ends. I also note your call to get the Specialised Committee on Fisheries up and running. I can now announce that we will hold the third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, the first meeting of substance, later this month. Work is already underway to prepare this meeting with the working group that took place just last week. I can assure you that the European Parliament will be kept informed of this very important work in line with the provisions of TCA. Honourable Members, Brexit has impacted the existing structures in the North-East Atlantic and we will need to adapt accordingly. That said, the principle behind our international engagement remains the same. We remain committed to cooperation on shared stocks, whether these are shared with the UK or with the other third countries. Our ultimate aim remains the same: good cooperation with the UK and Norway for shared stocks, as well as good cooperation with coastal states on widely distributed stocks in the interest of sustainable fisheries management across the whole North-East Atlantic. In the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, we will work closely with the like-minded contracting parties to achieve sustainability goals and to ensure the fair competition for our operators.  The EU will also continue promoting ambitious control measures in order to close any loophole for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities. On our cod fisheries in Svalbard, we have been working intensively to find a solution with Norway. Such a solution should ensure that our fishers can fish their full historic quota, as in the decades before 2021, and it should not cause prejudice to our rights in international waters. Norway is hopeful that a diplomatic solution could be found soon, and I am firmly convinced that this would be in the interest of both parties. We will continue to deploy all necessary efforts both on a technical and political level to make this happen.