On 14 November, the EU Fisheries Council focused on discussions and exchange of viewpoints on the Commission’s proposal for the External Dimension of the Common fisheries Policy (CFP). Originally, Atlantic and North Sea total allowable catches (TACs) were supposed to be decided on—as per Commission’s suggestion—but in the end, the Council decided that all TACs will be set in December.
The discussions were dedicated to priorities for future development of the CFPs External Dimension, with particular regard to regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) and to bilateral agreements.
According to the EU Council official press release, it was agreed that transparency with regard to exploitation levels—Member States (MS) coastal jurisdiction and bilateral agreements—including scientific stock assessment, is an important issue for all MS.
There was a bit of divide between MS in relation to a financial contribution by ship-owners benefitting from access to high seas and waters under bilateral agreements. While the majority of MS agreed that this contribution should increase as suggested by the Commission, a few feared a loss of competitive advantage.
As already reported by CFP Reform Watch, the External Dimension is a communication proposal and not legislation, therefore the Council and the European Parliament do not need to reach a resolution through co-decision. Some MS states were in favour of Council Conclusions (legally non-binding), but the majority of the delegation preferred to include the main elements of the External Dimension in the CFP legal proposals (legally binding).
Lastly, the EU fisheries Ministers adopted a decision to sign, and provisionally apply, a new protocol under the Partnership Agreement between EU and Guinea Bissau. The protocol defines fishing opportunities and financial contribution for access rights and sectoral support offered to EU vessels.