EU recreational fisheries sector advocates for full recognition in the Common Fisheries Policy
Anglers made the case at the European Parliament that a full recognition of the recreational fisheries sector in the Common Fisheries Policy is needed in order to properly manage public access to fish and to put in place a fair and sustainable management of fish stocks.
The panelists from left to right: Michal Wiezik (MEP replacing Niclas Herbst for the conclusion), Maja Kirchner (DG MARE), Olivier Portrat (EFTTA), Dr. Kieran Hyder (CEFAS), Fred Bloot (EAA) and David Vertegaal (EAA)
On the 19th of February, MEP Niclas Herbst, new Chair of the Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, hosts the first conference of the Forum in the new European Parliament’s term. Representatives from the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), take the word to underline the challenges that the recreational fisheries sector is facing and the actions to be taken in order to fully exploit its potential.
Mr Olivier Portrat, the newly appointed CEO of EFTTA, explains that Europe counts more than 8.7 million sea anglers, who generate €10.5 billion yearly with their expenditures (fishing equipment, services, fishing trips, etc.). The sector supports around 100,000 jobs in the European Union. Moreover, angling contributes to people’s health and quality of life. He adds that “only solid data allows serious conclusions to be drawn for the management of recreational fishing. Because of the high socio-economic value of angling, data-collection must be augmented significantly. (…) An effective fisheries management program would not only generate more anglers in the future, it would also be of great benefit for structurally weak, rural areas”.
Mr David Vertegaal, representing the EAA, highlights the positive contribution of anglers to the protection of the environment and their contribution to the EU green agenda. Anglers are not only vocal supporters of fish stock conservation, and - the sector also supports and collaborates with various scientific researches. He however points out that marine recreational fisheries are not considered yet as a separate sector in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This prevents a sound and fair management of the sector. “The quality of the angling experience depends on healthy and flourishing fish stocks. Anglers are committed to sustainable fisheries. But we need a fair deal for recreational fisheries in the CFP, and that applies to the revision of the ongoing Fisheries Control system as well”, he explains.
Dr Kieran Hyder, Principal Scientist at CEFAS and Chair of the ICES Working Group on Recreational Fisheries Surveys highlighted what constitutes effective governance of recreational fisheries. He showed that different recreational and commercial management objectives need to be accounted for to ensure fair and equitable allocation. He concluded that “Increasing the value of marine recreational fisheries is possible if it is fully integrated into the CFP and good fishing opportunities exist. All sectors must to work together responsibly to balance competing management objectives and new science is needed to develop the data and tools to underpin policy”.
Ms Maja Kirchner, from the European Commission’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, welcomes the commitment of anglers to dialogue and their role in informing conservation measures taken by the EU, giving the example of the seabass. She emphasizes the need to continue communicating, and to collaborate to get data on endangered species.
Fred Bloot, President of the EAA, concludes the discussion by asking more comprehensive data collection on recreational fisheries and full integration into the CFP.
The panel from left to right: Dr Kieran Hyder (CEFAS), Olivier Portrat (EFTTA), MEP Niclas Herbst, Maja Kirchner (DG MARE), David Vertegaal (EAA) and Fred Bloot (EAA)
Conference
Recreational fisheries in the EU: state of play, governance, perspectives
19 February 2020
European Parliament
MEP Niclas Herbst will chair the conference "Recreational fisheries in the EU: state of play, governance, perspectives" organised by the European Parliament Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, with the support of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA).
The conference will take place on the 19th of February from 08:00 to 09:30 in the European Parliament (Room JAN 6Q1). Breakfast will be offered.
Agenda
Recreational fisheries are not considered as a distinct sector by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) but are increasingly regulated at EU level through a series of legislative acts such as the multiannual management plans, the Control Regulation, the Data Collection Framework and bag limits for key species like seabass and cod. The rationale for these inclusions is limited to stock management only, with a focus on commercially important stocks or stocks at risk, while the economic and social sustainability of the sector is not taken into account. On top of this, the pending revision of the fisheries control regulation includes provisions to increase the monitoring and control of recreational fisheries.
The conference will be an occasion to highlight the socio-economic and environmental importance of the sector. Furthermore, the governance of recreational fisheries and the sector’s inclusion in EU policies and legislation, most notably the CFP, will be debated. The objective of this meeting is to identify opportunities and barriers that may assist or impede a shift from the current control-only oriented approach to a more comprehensive and coherent policy-making and management with regard to the recreational sea fisheries sector.
If you wish to register to our event or if you need an accreditation to access the European Parliament, please send an email to sofia@eaa-europe.eu by the 11th of February 2020.