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COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

Monday 20 January (15.00 –18:30) &

Tuesday 21 January (9.00 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 18.30)

Paul-Henri Spaak (5B001) in Brussels

►Exchange of views with Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

►Exchange of views with Marija Vučković, Minister of Agriculture, on the priorities of the Croatian Presidency

►Vote on the draft recommendations on Protocols on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreements with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2019-2024) (with resolution) and with the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

►Consideration of the draft report on Introduction of capacity limits for Eastern Baltic cod, data collection and control measures in the Baltic Sea

Words from the Chair page 2 On-going dossiers page 3 Studies & briefing notes page 7 Fisheries news page 8 AC meetings page 16 International meetings page 17 Partnership agreements page 18 Committee on Fisheries page 20 Calendar of PECH meetings page 21

Next meetings of the Committee on Fisheries:

19-20 February 2020

Next public hearing:

„Measures to improve sustainable aquaculture in

the EU“ (19 February)

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© European Union (2019) European Parliament

Chris DAVIES Chair of Committee on Fisheries

Dear Friends,

Are we within touching distance of restoring fish stocks above maximum sustainable yield, as the Commission seems to suggest, or are we still ignoring the overfishing that threatens the survival of many species, as the NGOs claim? Both sides can justify their position if they choose the right statistics, and maybe the need to agree just what will be measured is an issue to explore when the committee hears the report-back from December's Council meeting where the 2020 catch limits (TACs) were set.

That meeting would also have been a baptism of fire for our new oceans and fisheries commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius. He will be with the committee on Monday. Even though most Commission proposals were agreed we might ask why the scientific recommendations were not always accepted my ministers, and with Brexit looming maybe there will be some questions about the forthcoming negotiations with Britain that are of such concern to Europe's fishing industry.

Of course, our commissioner's portfolio also includes the environment, which means he should be able to get DG Environment and DG Mare to work together and press EU member states not only to increase the number of marine protected areas but also to put in place proper governance arrangements. A plan of action is needed if his ambitions for protecting marine biodiversity and creating fish stock recovery areas are to be realised.

This is still the commissioner's honeymoon period but tough times lie ahead. It is claimed that more than 10,000 dolphins are being mutilated and killed each year in the Bay of Biscay as bycatch, despite them being a protected species. How many dolphins have to die before curbs are placed on commercial fishing practices? I can't see that question being answered to everyone's satisfaction!

By way of a finale on Tuesday we shall be taking a look ahead to the next reform of the CFP. Can we raise our sights, restore some of the former abundance of our seas, and give an even better future for our fishing industry?

But after that I would like to invite members and committee visitors for a post-meeting drink so that British members can say farewell. For my part I can only say that I have loved every moment of being the committee's chair. I hope you have found our debates of interest, and I wish members, and Europe's fish, all the very best for the future.

Chris DAVIES

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COD reports Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

Fisheries control COM(2018)0368 - C8-0238/2018 2018/0193 (COD) PECH/9/00323

Aguilera COD TBC TBC

Introduction of capacity limits for Eastern Baltic cod, data collection and control measures in the Baltic Sea, and Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 as regards permanent cessation for fleets fishing for Eastern Baltic cod COM(2019)0564 - C9-0161/2019 2019/0246 (COD) PECH/9/01787

Herbst COD 16-17/03/2020 TBC

Reports adopted in EP 1st reading (awaiting 2nd reading)

Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund COM(2018)0390 - C8-0270/2018 2018/0210(COD) PECH/8/13776

Millán Mon COD TBC 1st Reading:

04/04/2019

NLE reports Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

Conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024) 08662/2019 - COM(2019)0137 - C9-0004/2019 2019/0078(NLE) PECH/9/00456

Monteiro De Aguiar

NLE (with

Resolution) 19/02/2020 TBC

Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2019-2024) 08928/2019 - COM(2019)0171 - C9-0011/2019 2019/0090(NLE) PECH/9/00462

Ferreira NLE (with

Resolution) 21/01/2020

MARCH I 2020

https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0193(COD)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0246(COD)&l=enhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0210(COD)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0078(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2019/0090(NLE)

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Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community COM(2019)0377 - 2019/0173(NLE) PECH/9/01195

Melo NLE 21/01/2020 MARCH I

2020

Protocol to amend the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 13447/2019 - COM(2019)0472 - C9- 0187/2019 - 2019/0225 (NLE) PECH/9/01620

Conte NLE 16-17/03/2020 APRIL 2020

Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Senegal and the European Union 13484/2019 - COM(2019)0473 - C9-0178/2019 - 2019/0226(NLE) PECH/9/01701

Bilbao Barandica

NLE 29-30/04/2020 JUNE I 2020

Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and expiring on 15 November 2019 12928/2019 - COM(2019)0448 - C9-0175/2019 - 2019/0210 (NLE) PECH/9/01497

Aguilera NLE 29-30/04/2020 JUNE I 2020

Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and its Implementing Protocol (2020-2026) between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles COM(2020)0002 - 2020/0002(NLE) PECH/9/02217

TBC NLE TBC TBC

https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0173(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0225(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0226(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/0210(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0002(NLE)&l=fr

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INI reports Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

The impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems 2019/2158 (INI) PECH/9/01965

van Dalen INI TBC TBC

Challenges and opportunities for the fishing sector in the Black Sea 2019/2159 (INI) PECH/9/01967

Hristov INI TBC TBC

Fishers for the future: Attracting a new generation of labour to the fishing industry and generating employment in coastal communities 2019/2161 (INI) PECH/9/01969

Pizarro INI TBC TBC

More fish in the seas? Measures to promote stock recovery above MSY, including fish recovery areas and marine protected areas 2019/2162 (INI) PECH/9/01971

Roose INI TBC TBC

Opinions Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Vote Lead

Committee

Conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam COM(2018)0691 - 06050/2019- C9-0023/2019 2018/0356(NLE) PECH/9/00631

Bartolo NLE (with

Resolution) 03/12/2019

INTA 20/01/2020

2018 discharge: European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) COM(2019)0316 - C9-0080/2019 2019/2085 (DEC) PECH/9/00829

González Casares

DEC 03/12/2019

CONT

20/02/2020

*Note on procedures:

COD: Ordinary legislative procedure; INI: Own-Initiative;

NLE: Non-legislative (consent to international agreements); DEC: Discharge; BUD: Budget

https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/2158(INI)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/2159(INI)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/2161(INI)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/2162(INI)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0356(NLE)&l=enhttps://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2019/2085(DEC)&l=en

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REQUESTED: Electronic technologies in monitoring, control and surveillance of EU fisheries - challenges and opportunities (workshop) The CFP infringement procedures and imposed sanctions in the EU (study) PUBLISHED (SINCE 2016): CFP and fisheries management Implementation and impact of the key European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) measures on the CFP The discard ban and the landing obligation in the Western- Mediterranean Sea - The Italian case The discard ban and the landing obligation in the Western- Mediterranean Sea - The Spanish case Social and Economic impact of the penalty point system Scientific Advice in Fisheries Management - Introduction to Stock Assessment and Maximum Sustainable Yield Ranges Workshop on The discard ban and its impact on the Maximum Sustainable Yield objective on fisheries The discard ban and its impact on the MSY objective - The Bay of Biscay case/The Baltic Sea/The North Sea Options of handling choke species in view of the EU landing obligation - the Baltic plaice example Landing obligation and choke species in mixed fisheries - North Sea/North-Western Waters/South-Western Waters European fisheries - latest developments and future challenges Stocks Situation of the clam (Tapes spp) fisheries sector in the EU Environmental, social and economic sustainability of the European eel management The European eel: reproductive biology, migration and sustainable management Structural Policy and economics Markets of fisheries and aquaculture products: The added value chain and the role of promotion, labelling and consumer information - Small-scale fisheries case Feasibility of measuring socio-economic and environmental impacts of recreational and semi-subsistence fisheries in the EU Seafood Industry Integration in the EU The management of the fishing fleets in the outermost regions Sustainable 'blue growth' in the EU and opportunities for small-scale fisheries Regional ocean governance in Europe: the role of fisheries “Marine Recreational and Semi-subsistence fishing - its value and its impact on fish stocks” Training of Fishers Workshop on the Implementation and Impact of EMFF Measures on the Common Fisheries Policy Seafood Industry Integration in the EU 2018 External dimension Impact of fisheries partnership agreements in the development of employment in the EU and in third countries Consequences of Brexit for the Common Fisheries Policy Legal framework for governance Trade and economic related issues Resources and fisheries Mission briefings Fisheries in Madeira/Japan/Guadeloupe (2017) Fisheries in Andalusia/Finland/Ireland/Vietnam (2018)

@ You can access the studies and other documents via this link

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/pech/supporting-analyses.html

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION News - Press service

The octopus pots in Senegal 13/01/2020

Our Story of the month comes from Senegal

in West Africa, where the European Union

supports women’s employment, building on

traditional knowledge, and supports local

fishermen while sustainably managing

fisheries resources, especially octopus.

Octopus is a highly valuable fisheries resource

that sells at a high price on the international

market and is an important source of income

for Senegalese fishermen and women. This

year 15,000 clay pots were submerged in

Senegalese local waters to form artificial reefs.

These reefs provide shelter and safeguard the

cluster of octopus leading to an increase of

octopus biomass and benefiting local fisheries.

The clay pots forming the artificial reefs are

produced by local women based on traditional

knowledge passed on through generations. The

work provides the women with a mean to

support their families, while playing a central

part in revitalizing the beneficial octopus

fisheries. The EU-funded project was financed

by the sectoral support under the Sustainable

Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA)

between the European Union and the Republic

of Senegal. Read more

How was EU funding put to use? 20/12/2019

The 2018 implementation report of the

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

(EMFF) is now available. It summarises

EMFF implementation across EU countries

and sea basins according to specific topics

during the period 2014-2018. The report is

based on data provided by the Member

States in 2019, covering the period from

January 2014 to December 2018.

In terms of activities, the report shows that

most funding went to data collection on

fisheries and aquaculture activities (€362.4

million committed) which helps improve stock

assessments and understanding of the state of

these sectors, including socio-economic

conditions. Control and enforcement (€293.5

million committed) and productive

investments in aquaculture (€241.5 million)

came in the second and third positions.

The EMFF is one of the five European

Structural and Investment (ESI) funds. The

Strategic Report for the ESI funds along with

an overview fact sheet about implementation

of the funds in each Member State, and a

summary of ESI fund evaluations were all

published on 17 December 2019.

The ESI Funds Open Data Platform has also

been updated to coincide with the report. The

EMFF page now shows achievements such as

the number of jobs maintained in fisheries

(6,518 full-time equivalent), the volume of

aquaculture production (150,749 tonnes) or the

surface area of Natura 2000 areas (1,456 km²),

which the EMFF helps to maintain and protect.

As with the EMFF implementation report and

the Strategic Report, the information presented

is based on data submitted by the Member

States in 2019. Read more

#COP25: EU Ocean Day highlights role of oceans in tackling climate change 18/12/2019

Healthy oceans are a priority in the fight

against climate change. They are the first

victim of global warming, but they also offer

some of the most effective solutions.

To reinforce that point, the European

Commission has organised an ‘EU Ocean Day’

on 7 December during the COP25, the UN

Climate Change Conference in Madrid.

Also the EU countries are on board. In

November, they adopted conclusions on

oceans and seas, stressing that climate change

is a direct and existential threat to life in the

oceans and seas globally. They called for

increased action at all levels of government to

protect marine and coastal ecosystems.

Climate change is having far-reaching impact,

not least on fisheries. Shifts in species

http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/index.cfm?universe_acronym=marehttp://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/index.cfm?universe_acronym=marehttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/octopus-pots-senegal_enhttps://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/mare/document.cfm?doc_id=64052https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/asr2019/esif_asr2019_en.pdfhttps://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/how/stages-step-by-step/strategic-report/https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/asr2019/esif_asr2019_swd_en.pdfhttp://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/funds/emffhttps://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/funds/emffhttps://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/funds/emffhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/how-was-eu-funding-put-use_en

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distribution, in migration patterns and in

abundance, creates important challenges for

sustainable fisheries management at both

national and international level. Read more

EU and Norway reach agreement on the fisheries arrangements for 2020 17/12/2019

The EU and Norway have signed three

fisheries arrangements for 2020 making this

the largest fishing agreement in the north of

Europe.

The parties signed two bilateral arrangements

and a neighboring arrangement following three

rounds of negotiations in November and

December. The bilateral arrangements cover

the North Sea and the Atlantic, and Skagerrak

and Kattegat, whilst the neighbouring

arrangement covers the Swedish fishery in

Norwegian waters of the North Sea.

The EU and Norway have agreed on quotas for

the jointly-managed fish stocks in the North

Sea (cod, haddock, plaice, whiting, herring,

and saithe) and Skagerrak (cod, haddock,

whiting, plaice, shrimp, herring and sprat), as

well as an exchange of reciprocal fishing

possibilities.

In the North Sea, 5 out of 6 stocks jointly-

managed with Norway have been set in line

with the ICES scientific advices, at maximum

sustainable yield (MSY) levels. This results in

quota reductions in 2020 for saithe (-15%) and

whiting (-13%), but increases in haddock

(+23%) and plaice (+17%). A roll-over was set

for herring.

Concerning the North Sea cod stock, the EU

had advocated for a strict application of the

MSY approach for 2020, which would have

resulted in a 61% TAC decrease.

Unfortunately, the TAC was set at 17.679

tonnes (50% less than in 2019), a less

ambitious decrease than the EU had hoped for.

The two parties have however agreed to

implement a range of additional measures,

such as closures of areas and measures to

protect adult and juvenile cod during the year.

The EU will also implement a specific control

and inspection programme to further reduce

catches of juveniles.

The EU and Norway also agreed to roll-over

last year’s agreement on quota exchanges. In

particular, the EU received over 21,518 tonnes

of Arctic cod.

These agreed arrangements will ensure

continuation of fishing operations for both

Parties in each other's waters from 1 January

2020.

For further details, read the agreed records.

All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum, 6 – 7 February 2020, registration now open! 13/12/2019

Register now for the All-Atlantic Ocean

Research Forum, taking place on 6 – 7

February 2020 in Brussels!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to shape the

future of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research, to

network and join a wide-ranging audience of

leading political and ocean leaders including

youth, and a host of renowned researchers,

entrepreneurs, academics, civil society and

many more inspirational speakers.

The Forum will define the new strategic

direction and political ambitions for the

Alliance, which was launched with the

signings of the European Union – United

States – Canada Galway Statement in 2013,

and the European Union – Brazil – South

Africa Belém Statement in 2017. In particular,

the Forum will define how the Alliance will

deliver on the European Green Deal, the UN

Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable

Development, the Horizon Europe Mission

Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland

Waters, and a just transition to a healthy ocean

and a climate neutral planet.

The Forum, which is part of the international

dimension of the updated EU Atlantic

Maritime Strategy, will also be the occasion to

launch the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth

Ambassadors Forum.

Join leading artists, scientists, and thought-

leaders as they take you on an expedition of

artistic, cultural and collaborative discoveries

dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding

of the Ocean through the lens of art and to

engendering creative solutions to our most

pressing issues. Read more

https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/press/cop25-eu-ocean-day-highlights-role-oceans-tackling-climate-change_enhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/international/agreements/norwayhttps://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf/galway_statement_atlantic_ocean_cooperation.pdfhttp://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf/belem_statement_2017_en.pdfhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/all-atlantic-ocean-research-forum-6-–-7-february-2020-registration-now-open_en

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Commission notifies the Republic of Panama over the need to step up action to fight against illegal fishing 12/12/2019

The European Commission has notified the

Republic of Panama about the risk of being

identified as a non-cooperating country in the

fight against illegal, unreported and

unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Republic of Panama had already received

a yellow card in November 2012, which was

then lifted in October 2014.

The decision is based on the identification of

various shortcomings that constitute

significant backtracking compared to

improvements observed from 2012 to 2014.

This undermines the country's ability to

comply with its duties under international law

as flag, port, coastal and market state. Panama

is encouraged to step up its actions to ensure

adequate control over the activities of its

vessels to prevent and deter them from

engaging or supporting IUU fishing. In

particular, Panama should ensure an effective

monitoring of the activities of its fishing and

fishing related vessels and an adequate

implementation of its enforcement and

sanctioning system. In addition, it should also

ensure adequate implementation of the ‘Port

State Measures Agreement' (1) in order to

prevent fish stemming from IUU fishing

activities from reaching its market or others,

and to deter IUU fishing vessels from receiving

port services. An adequate control of the

activity of processing plants – especially those

exporting to the EU – is of paramount

importance.

The yellow card is a warning and offers

Panama the chance to react and take measures

to rectify the situation within a reasonable

time. Read more

EU and Faroe Islands agree on fishing arrangements for 2020 11/12/2019

On December 10th, the European Union

and the Faroe Islands have reached an

agreement on reciprocal exchanges of

fishing opportunities in each other’s waters

for 2020. The new agreement allows for the

exchange of a number of important quotas

for the European Union, such as cod,

haddock, saithe and redfish, with Norway

pout and blue whiting for the Faroe Islands.

The Parties have also agreed reciprocal

access to each other’s waters for mackerel,

Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting.

Details of reciprocal arrangements agreed

for 2020 Quotas agreed by the parties for 2020 (in

tonnes)

For the European Union from the Faroe

Islands:

Cod and haddock 885

Saithe 2,600

Redfish 100

Blue ling and ling 1,885

Flatfish 50

Blue whiting 2,500

Other species 700

For the Faroe Islands from the European

Union:

Ling and tusk 200

Blue ling 150

Horse mackerel 1,600

Norway pout 5,000

Blue whiting 10,000

Sprat 1,000

Other white fish 150

Herring 250

Northern deep-water prawns 1,200

Greenland halibut 110

The parties have also agreed access to each

other’s waters for:

34,856 tonnes of mackerel

37,500 tonnes of blue whiting

7,000 tonnes of Atlanto-Scandian

herring

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_19_6755

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Climate change: EU stresses the need to address the impacts of climate change on oceans at UN General Assembly 11/12/2019

The UN General Assembly (UNGA)

adopted on 10 December two resolutions on

Oceans and Law of the Seas and on

Sustainable Fisheries. In this context, the

EU called for urgent, resolute and ambitious

international action by all States in line with

agreed commitments to counter the impacts

of climate change on the oceans such as

ocean acidification, ocean-warming,

reduced fisheries catch potential and rising

sea levels.

The EU regrets that there was no agreement on

reflecting the findings and recommendations

of the Special Report of the Intergovernmental

Panel Climate Change (IPCC) on Oceans and

the Cryosphere in these resolutions as

suggested by the EU and numerous other

delegations including Small Island States and

African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. For

this reason, the EU Member States have

chosen not to co-sponsor the Sustainable

Fisheries resolution, unlike in previous years.

Nevertheless, the EU welcomes the fact that

the resolution on sustainable fisheries made

progress on a number of key issues, in

particular the social dimension of fisheries,

which is a longstanding EU priority. In line

with commitments to ensure decent work for

all, the EU proposed measures to promote

equality and the recognition of the role of

women in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors

as well as improved labour conditions and

safety aboard fishing vessels. The EU

encourages the ratification of the ILO Work in

Fishing Convention and the Cape Town

Agreement by all states. The EU also supports

the work of the FAO with regard to Social

Responsibility to tackle labour right violations

and human rights abuses, which are known to

occur along the fisheries value chain.

25 years after its entry into force, the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

(UNCLOS) remains the overarching legal

framework for ocean governance. The EU

continues to encourage all UN states to ratify it

to achieve universal participation. In addition,

the EU looks forward to the finalisation of

negotiations next year of the new

implementing agreement for the conservation

and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in

areas beyond national jurisdiction. The

finalisation of the new implementing

agreement will ensure that the Convention is

able to meet current challenges. Read more

Latest Euronews Ocean episode shows the climate-related challenges that Small Island Developing States are facing 06/12/2019

In this episode, Euronews is visiting

Seychelles to see some of the climate-related

challenges that Small Island Developing

States are facing — from coral die-off to

coastal erosion, flooding, farming damage

and freshwater loss due to salt water

intrusion. Euronews talks to Seychelles

climate adaptation officer Jean-Claude

Labrosse, the EU Ambassador Vincent

Degert, NGO activists and common citizens

about the main threats associated with

climate change and actions to mitigate their

consequences, including the EU-financed

climate change adaptation programme.

Storm surges, intense rains and coastal erosion

pose existential risks to Small Island

Developing States - where a third of the

population lives near sea level. The EU has

close relations with the Seychelles and is

helping the country to reinforce its coastline.

"Here, coastal erosion means disappearance of

the islands - that's the reality,” says Vincent

Degert, EU Ambassador to the Republic of

Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles.

“There are 90,000 people living here in the

Seychelles. Their homes, their restaurants,

their economic activity - everything is put at

risk by climate change. So there is a genuine

need to take action together."

The European Union allocated 3 million euros

under the Global Climate Change Adaptation

programme to help deal with the flood

problems and prevent the salinification of La

Digue’s agricultural fields.

"There will be projects to be implemented

under the programme which the EU has

https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/press/eu-seeks-entry-force-world-wide-agreement-safety-fishing-vessels_enhttps://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/press/eu-seeks-entry-force-world-wide-agreement-safety-fishing-vessels_enhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/climate-change-eu-stresses-need-address-impacts-climate-change-oceans-un-general-assembly_en

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committed itself to fund,” says Jean-Claude

Labrosse, Principal Climate Adaptation

officer, at the Seychelles Ministry of

Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

“One will be of course the shoreline

management plan; the other one is to increase

our capacity to deal with flooding within the

plateau and other areas; the other one is for the

beach protection; and lastly, there will also be

projects to mitigate saltwater intrusion further

inland. Today the world is like a global village

- we cannot act in isolation. So if we are

burning more fuel, if we are disposing more

waste, it affects the seas, it affects the reefs, it

affects the livelihood of people around the

world."

Watch the episode and read the full story at:

https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/06/ngos-

work-to-rebuild-vital-coral-reefs-but-islands-

threatened-by-climate-change-need-much

Improving fishers’ livelihoods in Mauritius 05/12/2019

Our story of the month comes from

Mauritius. Financed under the sustainable

fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA)

between the European Union and the

Republic of Mauritius, the project offers

technical assistance for local fishers

cooperatives for purchasing canoes and

semi-industrial boats.

The new, semi-industrial fishing boat

purchased with the support of the EU enable

the fishers to go out for longer fishing trips

without docking at the coast and with a larger

crew. This allows the fishers to catch larger

catches with higher value species that they can

sell on the markets. These new opportunities

have changed the mentality of the local fishers

from family livelihood activities to business

management and increased the opportunities of

a decent life for fishers. These successful

projects have the potential to inspire other

fishers’ cooperatives to go into the same

direction.

Read more

The EU Fish Market 2019 edition is out: everything you wanted to know about the EU market for fish and seafood 03/12/2019

If you want to know what fishery products

are exported or imported, when and where,

what is consumed and by whom, what are

the main trends of the European fisheries

and aquaculture sector, then have a look at

the newly released EU Fish market annual

report. The 2019 edition provides analyses

of landings, import and export origins and

destinations, along with an overview of how

EU Member States’ fisheries and

aquaculture sectors fit into the global

picture.

How much fish do Europeans eat per year?

Which are the 3 countries which consume

most fish and seafood and which consume

the least? Consumption of fish and seafood in the EU

was estimated at 24.35 kg per capita in 2017.

On average, EU citizens ate half a kilo less

compared to the previous year. Portugal

remains the absolute champion in terms of per

capita consumption. In 2017, the Portuguese

ate 56.8 kg of fish and seafood per capita,

which is more than twice the EU level. After

Portugal, Spain and Malta are the countries in

which most fish and seafood is eaten.

Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania registered

the lowest level in the EU in terms of per

capita consumption. Compared with 2016, the

most significant decrease in absolute terms

concerned Luxembourg (-2.6 kg per capita)

while the most notable growth was observed

in Belgium (+2.3 kg per capita).

Which are the fishes most bought in

Europe? The top five species consumed in the EU –

tuna, cod, salmon, Alaska pollock and

shrimps – accounted for 44% of total volumes

in 2017. Read more

https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/06/ngos-work-to-rebuild-vital-coral-reefs-but-islands-threatened-by-climate-change-need-muchhttps://www.euronews.com/2019/12/06/ngos-work-to-rebuild-vital-coral-reefs-but-islands-threatened-by-climate-change-need-muchhttps://www.euronews.com/2019/12/06/ngos-work-to-rebuild-vital-coral-reefs-but-islands-threatened-by-climate-change-need-muchhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/sites/fisheries/files/semi-industrial-fishing-boats-in-mauritius_en.pdfhttps://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/eu-fish-market-2019-edition-out-everything-you-wanted-know-about-eu-market-fish-and-seafood_en

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COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Next meeting of the

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

27/01/2020

2020 fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, North and the Mediterranean Seas: Council secures agreement 18/12/2019

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council reached

a political agreement on a regulation

concerning the 2020 catch limits for the main

commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, the

North Sea and international fisheries in

which EU vessels participate.

Details of the agreement

With today's agreement the Council restated its

strong commitment to the objective of the CFP

- environmental, economic and social

sustainability - the provisions of the

multiannual management plans currently in

force, and the best available scientific advice.

In light of the difficulties faced by EU

fishermen in relation to mixed fisheries in

certain areas and the risk of choke species, the

Council decided to continue for one year the

previously agreed pool mechanism for quota

exchanges. Choke species are those that have a

low quota that, when exhausted, can cause a

vessel to stop fishing even if it still has quota

for other species.

In order to address the difficult situation of cod

and whiting stocks in the Celtic Sea and cod in

Kattegat, the Council decided to introduce

remedial measures with the aim of improving

the selectivity of fishing gears and reducing

bycatches.

Concerning seabass, it was decided to slightly

increase the by-catch levels in the Northern

areas and grant additional flexibility in their

management. The bag limit for seabass

recreational fisheries was set to two specimen

per fisherman per day under certain conditions,

and only from 1 March to 30 November 2020

for Northern seabass. Read more

Baltic Cod and Western herring fisheries: Council agrees negotiating position 16/12/2019

The EU is taking new measures to help

fishermen cope with the harmful

socioeconomic effects of the severe fishing

restrictions on cod and Western herring in

the Baltic Sea which are already in place

and agreed for 2020.

The Council defined its position (general

approach) on a regulation which amends

two existing pieces of legislation: the Baltic

multi-annual plan and the current

European Maritime Fisheries Fund

(EMFF). The new rules agreed by the

Council will in particular allow for

permanent cessation to be used to scrap

vessels targeting Baltic cod and Western

Baltic herring.

Background and next steps

For a variety of reasons linked mainly to

environmental and anthropogenic factors the

ecosystem in the Baltic Sea has been in a

fragile state for decades. In 2019 ICES, the

International Council for the Exploration of the

Sea, published alarming scientific advice on

the state of the Baltic cod stocks and the

Western herring stock in the Baltic Sea.

In response to the situation the Commission

adopted first emergency measures in July 2019

prohibiting the fishing of Eastern Baltic cod

until year-end. Subsequently, in October 2019,

the Council decided to close targeted fisheries

for Eastern Baltic cod in 2020 and to

significantly reduce fishing activities with an

impact on Eastern Baltic cod. The fishing

opportunities for Western Baltic cod and

Western herring, were also significantly

reduced. These measures for 2020 are likely to

lead to redundant fleet capacities and to severe

socio-economic consequences for the related

coastal communities and fishing sector.

The European Commission submitted its

proposal amending regulations 2016/1139 and

508/2014 following a political commitment

made during the October Agriculture and

Fisheries Council to address the socio-

economic crisis in the Baltic Sea fisheries.

The general approach reached today

constitutes the Council's mandate for future

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/configurations/agrifish/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/configurations/agrifish/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41951/table-for-press-release_updated.pdfhttps://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/12/18/2020-fishing-opportunities-in-the-atlantic-north-and-the-mediterranean-seas-council-secures-agreement/

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negotiations with the European Parliament.

The Council is now ready to start negotiations

as soon as the EP has agreed its stance. Read

more

Council greenlights 2020 fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and Black Seas 16/12/2019

The Council adopted a regulation setting the

2020 catch limits for certain fish stocks in the

Mediterranean and Black Seas.

This is the first time that a stand-alone fishing

opportunities regulation for both the

Mediterranean and the Black Seas has been

adopted, following the entry into force in 2019

of the Multiannual Plan for demersal stocks in

the western Mediterranean Sea (WMMAP).

The adopted rules include:

maximum allowable fishing efforts,

expressed in numbers of days, for

certain fish stocks in the Western

Mediterranean. These fishing efforts

were set at a level 10% lower than the

WMMAP baseline, and apply to Spain,

France and Italy.

fishing opportunities and other

measures decided on in the framework

of the General Fisheries Commission

for the Mediterranean (GFCM). These

measures include for instance a closure

period for European eel in the entire

Mediterranean Sea, and catch and

effort limits for small pelagic stocks in

the Adriatic Sea.

an autonomous quota for sprat in the

Black Sea applying to Bulgaria and

Romania, which was set at a level

needed to maintain the current level of

fishing mortality. The fishing

opportunity for turbot in the Black Sea

was decided in the GFCM.

These decisions were based on the best

available scientific advice coming from the

Scientific, Technical and Economic

Committee for Fisheries (STECF), the GFCM

Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries

(SAC) and the GFCM Working Group on the

Black Sea (WGBS). and comply with the

principles of the reformed Common Fisheries

Policy (CFP).

The GFCM is a regional fisheries management

organisation competent for the conservation

and management of living marine resources in

the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The

European Union is a member of the GFCM,

together with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,

France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania,

Slovenia and Spain. Measures adopted in the

framework of the GFCM are binding on its

members. Read more

Oceans and seas threatened by climate change: Council adopts conclusions 19/11/2019

The Council adopted conclusions on oceans

and seas, stressing that climate change is a

direct and existential threat to life in oceans

and seas globally. It calls for increased policy

action at all levels of government to protect

marine and coastal ecosystems. It notes with

great concern the warming of European

regional seas at a higher pace than average.

Member states unanimously stress the need for

immediate action against increasing threats on our oceans, seas and coastal areas. The

Council invites the Commission to come up

with policy options to respond to the alarming

findings of the new Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on

the ocean and cryosphere in a changing

climate.

In its conclusions, the Council underlines the

importance of

sustainably using marine resources a sustainable blue economy, and the

role of the economic sectors related to

oceans, seas and coasts including

fisheries, maritime transport and

offshore renewable energies enhanced coordination in maritime

security including circumpolar

meteorological and oceanographic

cooperation

protecting the Arctic and the

outermost regions and overseas

countries and territories, given their

specific vulnerability to climate change

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/12/16/baltic-cod-and-western-herring-fisheries-council-agrees-negotiating-position/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/12/16/baltic-cod-and-western-herring-fisheries-council-agrees-negotiating-position/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/12/16/council-greenlights-2020-fishing-opportunities-in-the-mediterranean-and-black-seas/

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reducing marine litter including

plastic waste and microplastics

ensuring healthy and resilient oceans

protecting the biodiversity of

vulnerable marine and coastal

ecosystems

strengthening research and ocean

science. Read more

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/11/19/oceans-and-seas-threatened-by-climate-change-council-adopts-conclusions/

15

AC DATE PLACE TYPE

BSAC 20/01/2020 Brussels ExCom

NSAC 21/01/2020 Berlin ExCom

ICES 22-24/01/2020 Copenhagen Herring Assessment WG for the Area South of 62° N

MAC 29-30/01/2020 Brussels WG1, WG2, WG3, ExCom and GA

ICES 31/01/2020 Copenhagen WG on Transparent Assessment Framework Governance

AAC 04/02/2020 Brussels WG 2 and 3

ICES 04-06/02/2020 Reykjavik WG on Pathology and Diseases of Marine Organisms

AAC 05/02/2020 Brussels WG 1, 2 and 3, Extraordinary GA

AAC 06/02/2020 Brussels ExCom

ICES 10-12/02/2020 Copenhagen WG on Integrated Ecosystem Assessment of the Greenland Sea

ICES 10-14/02/2020 Barcelona WG on Biodiversity Science

ICES 10-14/02/2020 Barcelona WG on Marine Mammal Ecology

NSAC 11/02/2020 Brussels Ecosystem WG

ICES 11-13/02/2020 Halifax, Canada WG on Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem Observations

MEDAC 18-19/02/2020 Rome GA, WG1, WG4, FG Strait of Sicily (GFCM recommendation on management measures on this area)

NSAC 20/02/2020 Copenhagen Skagerrak and Kattegat Working Group

BlSAC 20/02/2020 Varna WG 1

ICES 20-21/02/2020 Copenhagen Joint NAFO/ICES Pandalus Assessment WG

BlSAC 21/02/2020 Varna ExCom

ICES 24-28/2/2020 Norway WG on the Integrated Assessments of the Barents Sea

PELAC 04/03/2020 Den Haag WG I and II, and ExCom

NWWAC 10/03/2020 Madrid FG, horizontal WG

NWWAC 11/03/2020 Madrid WG, ExCom

BlSAC 17/03/2020 Constanta WG 2

BlSAC 18-19/03/2020 Constanta GA

LDAC 24/03/2020 Brussels WG3, WG2, Extraordinary ExCom

LDAC 25/03/2020 Brussels WG1, WG4

LDAC 26/03/2020 Brussels WG5

Abbreviations:

- NWW AC: North Western Waters Advisory Council (link)

- PEL AC: Pelagic Advisory Council (link)

- NS AC: North Sea Advisory Council (link)

- MED AC: Advisory Council for the Mediterranean (link)

- SWW AC: South Western Waters Advisory Council (link)

- LD AC: Long Distance Fleet Advisory Council (link)

- BS AC: Baltic Sea Advisory Council (link)

- AAC: Aquaculture Advisory Council (link)

- MAC: Market Advisory Council (link)

- MIRAC: ICES/AC meeting (link)

- BlS AC: Black Sea Advisory Council (link)

- GA: General Assembly, ExCom: Executive Committee, WG: Working Group, FG: Focus Group

http://www.nwwac.org/http://www.pelagic-rac.org/http://www.nsrac.org/http://en.med-ac.eu/index.phphttp://en.med-ac.eu/index.phphttp://cc-sud.eu/index.php/en/https://ldac.eu/en/http://www.bsac.dk/https://www.aac-europe.org/en/meetingshttps://marketac.eu/en/http://ices.dk/news-and-events/Pages/default.aspxhttps://www.blsaceu.eu/en/

16

NORWAY/FAROE ISLANDS/COASTAL STATES/NEAFC

Date Organisation Type of meeting Venue

2020

TBD in 2020 EU-Norway Bilateral ERS WG TBD

TBD in 2020 EU-Norway Bilateral Statistics WG TBD

22-24 January

2020 (TBC)

Coastal States Future of the MCS WG London, UK

21 January 2020

(TBC)

NEAFC Heads of Delegation meeting London, UK

12-13 February

2020 (TBC)

EU-Norway Bilateral MCS WG Bergen, NO

25-27 February

2020 (TBC)

NEAFC WG on the Future the NEAFC London, UK

18-19 March

2020 (TBC)

NEAFC JAGDM London, UK

REGIONAL FISHERIES ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

Date Organisation Type of meeting Venue

2020

11-13 February Agreement to

Prevent

Unregulated High

Seas Fisheries in

the Central Arctic

Ocean

First Meeting of the Provisional Scientific

Coordinating Group

Ispra (JRC)

14-18 February

South Pacific

Regional Fisheries

Management

Organisation

(SPRFMO)

Annual meeting Port Vila,

Vanuatu

17-21 February CMS CoP 13 of the Convention on Migratory Species Gandhinagar,

India

TBD UN Preparatory meeting for the UN Ocean

Conference

New York

23 March – 3

April

UN Fourth Substantive Session of the

Intergovernmental Conference on an international

legally binding instrument under the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the

conservation and sustainable use of marine

biological diversity of areas beyond national

jurisdiction (BBNJ)

New York

17

18

19

BUREAU

Chair DAVIES Chris 1st Vice-Chair VAN DALEN Peter 3rd Vice-Chair FERRANDINO Giuseppe

2nd Vice-Chair GADE Søren 4th Vice-Chair MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR Cláudia

COORDINATORS

EPP MILLÁN MON Francisco José ID CONTE Rosanna

S&D AGUILERA Clara ECR TOMAŠIĆ Ruža

Renew KARLESKIND Pierre GUE/NGL FERREIRA João

Greens/EFA O'SULLIVAN Grace

COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES FULL MEMBERS

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

AGUILERA Clara ES S&D ANDROULAKIS Nikos EL S&D

ALLARD Christian UK Greens/EFA AVRAM Carmen RO S&D

BARTOLO Pietro IT S&D BITEAU Benoît FR Greens/EFA

BELLAMY François-Xavier FR EPP CARVALHAIS Isabel PT S&D

BILBAO BARANDICA Izaskun ES Renew CHABAUD Catherine FR Renew

CONTE Rosanna IT ID GONZALEZ CASARES Nicolás ES S&D

CORBETT Richard UK S&D GRANT Valentino IT ID

VAN DALEN Peter NL EPP HAZEKAMP Anja NL GUE/NGL

D'AMATO Rosa IT NI HIDVÉGHI Balázs HU EPP

DAVIES Chris UK Renew HLAVÁČEK Martin CS Renew

DE MAN Filip BE ID HRISTOV Ivo BG S&D

DODDS Diane UK NI HUITEMA Jan NL Renew

FERRANDINO Giuseppe IT S&D KALINOWSKI Jarosław PL EPP

FERREIRA João PT GUE/NGL KELLER Ska DE Greens/EFA

GADE Søren Gade DA Renew MELO Nuno PT EPP

GUERREIRO Francisco PT Greens/EFA MILAZZO Giuseppe IT EPP

HERBST Niclas DE EPP MONTEITH Brian UK NI

JAMET France FR ID MUMMERY June Alison UK NI

KARLESKIND Pierre FR Renew PAGAZAURTUNDÚA Maite ES Renew

MATIĆ Predrag Fred HR S&D PIRBAKAS Maxette FR ID

MILLÁN MON Francisco José ES EPP ROOSE Caroline FR Greens/EFA

Baroness MOBARIK Nosheena UK ECR RUISSEN Bert-Jan NL ECR

MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR Cláudia PT EPP SCHMIEDTBAUER Simone AT EPP

O'SULLIVAN Grace IE Greens/EFA STANCANELLI Raffaele IT ECR

PIZARRO Manuel PT S&D TARDINO Annalisa IT ID

SCHREIJER-PIERIK Annie NL EPP WALSH Maria IE EPP

TOMAŠIĆ Ruža HR ECR ZARZALEJOS Javier ES EPP

ZAGORAKIS Theodoros EL EPP

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2020

Monday 20 January, 15:00-18:30 Tuesday 21 January, 9:00-12:30 Tuesday 21 January, 14:30-18:30

Wednesday 19 February, 9:00-12:30 Wednesday 19 February, 14:30-18:30 Thursday 20 February, 9:00-12:30

Monday 16 March, 15:00-18:30

Tuesday 17 March, 9:00-12:30

Tuesday 17 March, 14:30-18:30

Wednesday 29 April, 9:00-12:30

Wednesday 29 April, 14:30-18:30

Thursday 30 April, 9:00-12:30

Monday 25 May, 15:00-18:30

Tuesday 26 May, 9:00-12:30

Tuesday 26 May, 14:30-18:30

Wednesday 24 June, 9:00-12:30

Wednesday 24 June, 14:30-18:30

Thursday 25 June, 9:00-12:30

Monday 13 July, 15:00-18:30

Tuesday 14 July, 9:00-12:30

Tuesday 14 July, 14:30-18:30

Wednesday 2 September, 9:00-12:30

Wednesday 2 September, 14:30-18:30

Thursday 3 September, 9:00-12:30

Monday 28 September, 15:00-18:30

Monday 12 October, 15:00-18:30

Monday 26 October, 15:00-18:30

Tuesday 27 October, 9:00-12:30

Tuesday 27 October, 14:30-18:30

Monday 16 November, 15:00-18:30

Wednesday 2 December, 9:00-12:30

Wednesday 2 December, 14:30-18:30

Thursday 3 December, 9:00-12:30

21

USEFUL LINKS

@ EP Committee on Fisheries link

@ DG MARE (European Commission) link

@ Croatia's Presidency of the Council link

@ FAO Fishery and Aquaculture link

@ ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea link

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The items contained herein are drafted by the secretariat of the Committee on Fisheries of the

European Parliament and are provided for general information purposes only. The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. This document may contain links to websites that are created and maintained by other organisations. The secretariat does not necessarily endorse the view(s) expressed on these websites.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/pech/home.htmlhttp://ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/index_en.htmhttps://eu2020.hr/http://www.fao.org/fishery/enhttp://www.ices.dk/