The overall sustainability of the EU fisheries continues to gradually improve and fewer stocks are overfished, according to the Commission Communication ‘Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2025′ adopted on Friday. At the same time, it is noted, more efforts are necessary to ensure the resilience of the fisheries sector and the long-term sustainability of key species across all sea basins.
The communication outlines the orientations for the Commission proposals for fishing opportunities for 2025 and starts a consultation process with interested actors. The proposals to be adopted after summer will aim to keep fish stocks that have already reached sustainable levels at those levels, while helping other stocks recover. The Commission’s Communication is based on independent scientific assessments.
The Communication highlighted that fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic on average are within healthy ranges, with the latest assessment pointing to the best sustainability results so
far, proving that the EU sustainable fisheries management decisions and fishers’ efforts are paying off. This is particularly the case in the EU waters in the Atlantic. However, several species essential for ecosystem balance and commercial purposes continue to underperform, it is added.
In the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, while stocks are slowly becoming healthier, fishing mortality is still too high. Although fishing mortality rate is at its lowest level so far, it is still 20% above the recommended sustainability rate. Greater commitment and continuous efforts are necessary to allow key species and ecosystems to fully recover, the Commission said.
The situation in the Baltic Sea remains extremely worrying, as fish stocks continue to decline due to various pressures. Four out of ten stocks in the Baltic Sea are no longer targeted and may only be landed as by-catch. The Commission said it will continue to take measures to address all the various pressures on fish stocks and help improving the state of
the ecosystems in the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless, member states should also continue their efforts to reverse this situation by fully implementing the EU legislation, the Commission stressed.
Source: Cyprus News Agency