From the text of the Our Fish Submission to The European Commission Consultation Regarding Fishing Opportunities For 2019, August 2018:
Our Fish appreciates the opportunity to comment on the European Commission’s communication regarding fishing opportunities for 2019. Our Fish collaborates with organisations and individuals throughout the European Union to achieve sustainable fisheries in its waters.
This is only the second year that Our Fish is commenting on the Commissions consultation regarding fishing opportunities, so we are surprised and disappointed to find that the Commission is playing down continued overfishing, while diluting ambition to rebuild all fish stocks by 2020, as per requirements of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
EU citizens depend on the Commission to uphold the spirit and the letter of the CFP law, in order to rebuild valuable natural resources and secure a sustainable future. However, more effective governance and resolute enforcement of the CFP is urgently needed if we are to realise the benefits it can deliver to our fish stocks, environment, economy and communities.
We urge the Commission to advocate, unequivocally, for the full and in time implementation of the CFP. The Communication states, “Nevertheless, the FMSY objective 2020 and the full application of the landing obligation are a challenge” – they are a challenge, made greater by failure by Member States and the Commission to embrace ambitious implementation early (and meet the 2015 target). The Communication also states though, that there is no time for, “complacency” – indeed there is not, and Our Fish is ready to support and encourage tackling the challenge without complacency, delay or obfuscation over the coming months.
In tackling this challenge, Our Fish is concerned with three areas:
1. Behind schedule to end overfishing and attain the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) target; 2. Non-implementation of the landing obligation; and
3. Proposals for flexibility in 2019 TAC setting.
Download and read the full document: Submission to The European Commission Consultation Regarding Fishing Opportunities For 2019