More than 70 NGOs, fishermen’s organisations and other stakeholders have signed a declaration calling for the European Union to put small-scale coastal fisheries “at the heart of the CFP reform”.
At the meeting in the Spanish Atlantic fishing port of La Coruña, NGOs and organisations of artisanal, or small-scale, coastal fishers agreed to work together on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, to be replaced at the end of 2012. Their common goal would be a reform “in ways which ensure the recovery of fish stocks and marine habitats where necessary, the promotion of sustainable fisheries, a just allocation of fishing access based on social and environmental criteria, and an equitable distribution of the benefits derived from these activities”.
As an added value, the artisanal fishermen provide the social, economic and cultural fabric that sustains many coastal communities, the declaration said, adding that this fishing, “if treated fairly, managed responsibly, with well defined rights, has the potential to deliver healthy fisheries over the long-term and sustainable livelihoods”.
After stressing the important role of the NGOs, it went on to claim that “artisanal coastal fishing interests and NGOs both tend to be under-represented in decision-making fora, where they are given less participation rights, support and consideration than other interests”.
Seven particular areas were stated where the La Coruña Declaration called for EU decision-makers to ensure a positive outcome:
- That “the potential of sustainable artisanal coastal fisheries for stopping overfishing, ending destructive fishing practices, and delivering fair and equitable use of healthy fish stocks is fully recognised and placed at the heart of the CFP reform”.
- That “the widest participation of men and women from artisanal coastal fisheries and NGOs at all stages” is ensured.
- Priority access to fish resources is provided to those who fish in the most environmentally and socially sustainable way.
- That fishing policies, quotas and other management systems and fishing methods do not cause discards.
- Clear conditions and protocols are established and applied to avoid conflicts between different fleets targeting shared stocks or common fishing grounds.
- That the decision-making system values local fishermen’s “ecological and oceanographic knowledge”, as well as promotes collaboration between fishers and scientists.
- That the EU provides support for training schemes and the development of “effective co-management that promotes the participation of fishers, both men and women, in decision-making processes”.