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This is a decisive moment for the EU’s CFP; the Commission has already found broad agreement with the member states on the need for reform as well as on some of the options which shall be investigated. The Green Paper provides for a broad-based debate with the EU member states and stakeholders about how to achieve Union’s common goal, i.e. creating a genuinely sustainable European fisheries sector, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21^st century.

Commission’s opinion

“Today we are making the first step towards a new, radically different approach to fisheries. Above and beyond the 2002 reform agenda, which we continue to pursue, there are some problems in the fisheries sector that need fixing in the medium term – and which require a whole new set of tools. If we are to create such new tools and bring about the required mind set in good time, we need to start preparing now. This is why I have initiated the process of the next reform of the Common Fisheries Policy so that we can be ready for the quantum leap that certain challenges require”.

Joe Borg, Commissioner responsible for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

Urgently needed CFP’s reform

The last Reform of the CFP dates back to 2002. Since then, steady progress has undoubtedly been made in some areas covering, e.g. commercial fish stocks (now being managed under long-term plans), stakeholders are now much more involved in developing the CFP through the Regional Advisory Councils, regulation were adopted to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and a reform of CFP’s control policy installed.

However, some problems remain to be addressed in a radical way; thus, 88% of European fish stocks are overfished, compared to a global average of only 25%. One third of the EU fish stocks cannot reproduce at a normal rate because the parenting population is too depleted. In many fisheries the fleet is exerting a fishing pressure which is two to three times the level that fish stocks can take. Europe relies on imports for two-thirds of its demand, mentioned the Paper.

Most of the CFP’s problems stem from fleet overcapacity, which is economically inefficient and a main driver for overfishing. The policy attempts to reduce the size of fleet have been largely neutralised by the constant development of new, more powerful technologies, which, though unavoidable, invisibly increase the harvesting capacity of modern boats.

Main reform’s directions

Thus, the CFP finds itself in a vicious circle: on one side, the EU subsidised fishing capacity, on another, CFP has helped the European fleet modernise; as a result, the fleet has grown too big for the stocks, and the stocks are depleted. As a result, the fewer fish is left to catch, the more the industry's profit margins are squeezed. So, fishers try to fish even more to make up the loss of earnings and further increasing subsidies.

The next CFP’s reform is to break this cycle, re-focus the objectives of the CFP and put into the centre long-term sustainability of fisheries. The current situation, argues the Paper, when there are too many fishing vessels chasing too few fish must be eradicated. The overall profitability of the sector is to be increased and many fishermen and coastal communities relieved of serious economic problems.

On top of putting an end to overexploiting and discarding fish, the CFP must strive to restore the productivity of European oceans and seas. CFP must return to healthy and sustainable marine environment capable of generating wealth for our fishing industry and nutritious food for our citizens.

Decision-making

The optimal CFP requires re-adjustable decision–making mechanisms. At present, CFP’s management procedures are too detailed and top-down; it needs to favour the member states’ needs and regional dimensions, and whenever possible, let decisions be made at the level closer to the people they affect.

For example, there is a need to examine the principle of “relative stability”, as it has led fisheries ministers to focus on “their” immediate share rather than on the common good. Perhaps the notion of relative stability can be adopted or made more flexible, argued the Green Paper, so that the fishing sector's interests tally with the collective interest of respecting sustainable levels of catches.

Vision of the future

The EU has to reduce its reliance on imports; fishery must become again a growing market in Europe and a viable sector, providing secure, well rewarded jobs and delivering healthy and safe seafood to European consumers. The marine environment must be healthy and productive so young generations in coastal communities would start to consider fishing as an interesting and reliable way of making a living.

CFP must be an effective economy sector, simple to manage and seen as legitimate both by the sector and by European citizens where the EU is committed to promoting good maritime governance and responsible fishing.

The Green Paper calls for this kind of optimal scenario where the review process should pave the way for the changes needed, and for the system which, in the long run, will benefit all: fishermen, people living in coastal regions and consumers.

Open debate

The Green Paper on the future of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy is subject to a broad public consultation with all interested parties from the sector, including scientists, civil society and citizens; they are invited to respond and have their say until 31 December 2009. The consultation is the first step of the process which should bring about a radical reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

“We are asking questions even on the fundamentals of the current policy and should leave no stone unturned. We are not looking for just another reform. It is time to design a modern, simple and sustainable system for managing fisheries in the EU, which is able to last well into the 21^st century,” said Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Joe Borg.  

The purpose of the Green Paper is twofold: raise awareness of the challenges faced by the sector in recent years; and elicit a public response which can grow into a new, innovative and more consensual approach to fisheries regulation.

The Paper raises questions such as: How can we ensure the long-term sustainability and the viability of fisheries? How can overall fleet capacity be adapted while addressing the social concerns faced by coastal communities? How can a culture of compliance be further developed? How best can the CFP contribute to fisheries sustainability beyond EU waters?

Above and beyond overcapacity, the Paper identifies four other structural shortcomings of the present approach:

• the lack of precise policy objectives, especially with regard to ecological responsibility and integration with general maritime issues;
• a decision-making system that is too centralised and focused on short-term solutions which more often than not undermine long-term sustainability;
• a framework that does not give sufficient responsibility to the industry;
• the absence of political will towards compliance with the fishing limitations.

These issues have to be considered in a context where Europe imports two-thirds of its demand in fisheries products.

The Commission is concerned that if a better environmental sustainability of fishing is not achieved in the coming years, the consequence will be impoverished seas and an economically unviable fishing industry. If however the next reform projects the Common Fisheries Policy into the 21^st century, the benefits will not just be limited to fishermen or coastal communities, but will also be shared by Europe's citizens.

Although the Commission is only legally bound to review some parts of the CFP by 2012, the prevailing situation, particularly as regards stocks and fleet overcapacity, has convinced it of the need to launch the reform process already now. The consultation will close at the end of 2009 and the Commission will sum up its results in the first half of 2010. After further consultation with stakeholders, the Commission will then prepare an impact assessment report and develop a proposal for a new basic regulation. This could then be presented to the European Parliament and Council early in 2011, with a view for adoption in 2012.

Further information and documents can be found at: