Setting socioeconomic considerations above the sustainability of fish stocks is like “building a house without caring about its foundations”, was one point made as members of the European Parliament and representatives for both NGOs and the industry, as well as scientific expertise, discussed the future CFP reform.
The new EU Common Fisheries Policy is scheduled for 2012, and with the Lisbon Treaty now in force, the European Parliament will have a formal say in the decision-making process.
The general agreement in the EP hearing on December 2 was that it was easier to say what should be done, than how, since the key policy aims of ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks and the welfare of fishing communities had not been achieved by the previous CFP reform, in 2002.
The industry called for what they saw as “more reliable” scientific data as a basis for distribution of fishing opportunities, some representatives even suggesting new or improved scientific bodies, while their opponents argued that emphasis should instead be put on compliance.
“You are suggesting new structures but we are not following the existing advice. As a result, thousands of tonnes of fish are thrown overboard”, said Isabella Lövin, a Swedish Green who was recently elected after writing a blockbuster book on the perils of overfishing.
The remark on the futility of building houses on weak foundations was made by Chris Davies, a British member of the liberal ALDE group.