EU ministers visserij zetten zich in voor duurzamer visserijbeleid (en)

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mette Gjerskov chaired today's meeting

Photo: Council of the European Union

Today the EU Fisheries Ministers moved closer to agreements on sustainable fisheries.

The first item on today’s agenda was a debate on the Commission’s proposal on Maximum Sustainable Yield, MSY, i.e. the maximum yield that may be caught year after year without jeopardizing the survival of any stocks.

It is not realistic to reach an agreement on MSY for all species by 2015 as originally suggested by the Commission, but upon the meeting today the Council is approaching a fixed date.

“I want to stick to 2015 with regard to Maximum Sustainable Yield, but we must realise that it is not possible for all stocks. Therefore we aim at an agreement that will be fully implemented after 2015, but with a fixed date for the final implementation. That date may be 2020. Fundamentally it is about making sure that both fish and fishing industry will survive” says Danish chair Mette Gjerskov and adds that especially the management of mixed fisheries may be challenging:

”Maximum Sustainable Yield is an exceptionally challenge in mixed fisheries. The problem is finding methods that simultaneously ensure maximum sustainable utilization of healthy stocks whilst protecting the most vulnerable ones,” says Mette Gjerskov.

The Danish Presidency will continue negotiations in the Council working groups aiming for a general approach on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy at the Council meeting on 12 June.

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund was also discussed at today’s meeting.

”The new Maritime and Fisheries Fund is an important tool for achieving the ambitious objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. These are reduced overcapacity, a ban on discard and the implementation of Maximum Sustainable Yield. At the same time the fund will support the development of healthy aquaculture and the Integrated Maritime Policy,” says Mette Gjerskov.

Today the EU Ministers mainly focused on how to prioritise the resources of the Fund.