Debate: Rebuilding fish stocks in the Mediterranean
Date: MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

We also share your analysis that the implementation of the new fisheries governance in the Mediterranean and the efforts made by the EU to ensure the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and the protection of the ecosystem are starting to give positive results. Nevertheless, strong efforts need to continue, as 87% of fish stocks in the Mediterranean are still overfished. The good health of the stocks is a precondition for the future and profitability of the sector.  The equation is very simple: no fish means no fishers. In the Mediterranean Sea, pollution and climate change have an important impact on the health of the stocks, and therefore it is necessary to tackle both pollution and climate change. However, the scientists have always explained that fishing activities continue to have the biggest impact on the health of Mediterranean fish stocks.  We therefore need to reduce fishing in the Mediterranean and adapt fishing capacity to the existing fishing opportunities. We also need to protect juveniles and spawners, including through marine protected areas, fisheries restricted areas and more selective fishing, to ensure the recovery of the stocks. We catch not only too much fish, but also fish which are too small.  In addition, we need to ensure that the rules are strictly respected. Our message is zero tolerance of illegal fishing activities. To this end, more efforts are needed to improve the capacity not only of the EU and Member States’ authorities but also of third-country authorities to closely monitor the fishing activities all around the sea basin.  For the EU, the level playing field across the entire Mediterranean is crucial. Therefore, all the Mediterranean countries have to participate in these efforts. I am very happy that all the Mediterranean countries, upon the initiative of the EU, adopted last July a new strategy for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. This new strategy includes concrete actions to address the challenges that you describe in your report.  The strategy is ambitious, and it will facilitate a green transition, support the coastal communities and preserve food security based on solidarity between all Mediterranean countries. The EU will bring its financial support to the implementation of the strategy and will work closely with the secretariat of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in order to ensure the implementation of the strategy.  The strategy will also help countries to combat illegal fishing activities through the use of new technologies, through the establishment of inspection schemes and sighting procedures, and the EU will continue, through the European Fisheries Control Agency, and together with the Member States, to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.  More particularly, the EU intends to reinforce its operational cooperation with Mediterranean countries such as Tunisia. In order to ensure the legality of catches, the EU will also continue to monitor the traceability of fisheries products. The EU will table proposals at the next annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to establish catch certificates for turbot and red coral.  I fully agree with the report that marine protected areas, such as the Jabuka/Pomo Pit in the Adriatic, are the best tool to protect the juveniles and the seabed. Therefore, I encourage both EU Member States and third countries within the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to adopt new fisheries restricted areas and to reinforce the ones in place. In this context, the inclusive approach is a key issue. We need to ensure that fishermen and women, scientists, NGOs and national administrations cooperate in order to put in place the marine protected areas and fisheries restricted areas. The role of the fishers is crucial in this transition to the new fisheries governance. They are – and have to be – the guardians of the sea, and their efforts have to be recognised, as they are those who perfectly understand the need to ensure the recovery of the stocks. Fishers are ready to participate in co-management and to work on the improved selectivity of fishing gears. However, we need to support them to fully play their role. Fishers need adequate financial support through the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to achieve our common objective of the sustainability of the stocks.  I agree with you that science is crucial. Therefore, data collection needs to be improved and solid scientific advice needs to be built. Scientists need to exchange their experience and build together a common methodology for the assessment of the stocks. In this context, the state of the environment is also a key driver for the health of fish stocks.  The Commission will table by the end of the year a proposal for a nature restoration law, which is a deliverable of our biodiversity strategy. I am confident that this proposal will deliver synergies with our efforts to better manage Mediterranean fisheries. I believe that, with the common fisheries policy, and with the support of the new tools we will put in place under the EU environmental policies, we have all the necessary tools to reverse overfishing and to rebuild stocks in the Mediterranean.  The Commission looks forward to our continued cooperation to ensure the full implementation of the common fisheries policy in the Mediterranean.