Positions & Papers
Joint NGO letter to the European Parliament against harmful subsidies
March 20, 2017
In the letter 101 environmental organisations wrote to Members of the European Parliament calling on them to maintain the EU ban on subsidies for the construction of fishing vessels. This ban has been in place since 2004 and we ask parliamentarians to maintain this position. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on the ocean and seas (SDG 14) calls explicitly for the elimination of subsidies that contribute to overfishing by 2020. Attempts to reintroduce subsidies for the construction of new vessels undermines the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy to end overfishing and send the wrong political signal from the EU to leaders around the world.
Joint NGO letter to DG Mare Commissioner requesting closure of western Baltic flatfish and cod bycatch fishery
February 22, 2017
In this letter the undersigned NGOs requested a closure of the western Baltic flatfish and cod bycatch fishery. This was opened during the spawning season closure for cod, which is in February and March. The stock is below the biomass reference point and has been overfished for many years. In our view, this additional fishing pressure during the closed period does not comply with the Baltic multiannual plan, Common Fisheries Policy, or the Control Regulation.
On 7 March the flatfish fishery was closed by the European Commission, writing "the legislation is clear and does not permit and fishery during the closure period that is likely to catch cod."
Proposal to Baltic Sea Advisory Council for Fair and Balanced external representation
February 9, 2017
The Baltic Sea Advisory Council has a significant imbalance in which organisations represent the Council in external fora, a FishSec review shows. The Other Interest Group (OIGs) holds 40% of the seats and yet attends only 17% of the meetings on an annual basis. By contrast the fishing industry attends 58% of meetings and the Secretariat 25%. FIshSec has proposed measures to achieve a fair and balanced representation.
Proposal to Baltic Sea Advisory Council for quota distribution in line with Article 17
January 4, 2017
In light of the significant cuts to the TAC for western Baltic cod in 2017, FishSec proposed a motion for adoption at the Baltic Sea Advisory Council that the limited quota should be allocated to the most vulnerable fishers, in terms of jobs and income, and to those who have the lowest environmental impact.
Joint NGO letter to DG Mare Director concerning Baltic quotas in 2017
November 28, 2016
In this letter the undersigned NGOs outlined their concerns regarding the science underpinning the quotas set for stocks, in particular western Baltic cod and Gulf of Riga herring, and their compliance with the Baltic multiannual plan. We welcomed the Commission's statements that this information would be made available and have requested that this is done so publically, so as to address the transparency concerns that have become apparent through the negotiations.
North Atlantic and North Sea TACs 2017: Council briefing from the Fisheries Secretariat & Seas at Risk
November 23, 2016
This briefing provide recommendations to the Fisheries Council on the European Commission’s proposal on fishing opportunities in the North Atlantic and North Sea for 2017. The Fisheries Council will conclude on 13 December, and we ask the Council to endorse our recommendations in order to ensure more sustainable utilisation of our common marine resources. Our news story can be found here
Council brief on Deep Sea TACs for 2017 & 2018
November 3, 2016
This briefing provide recommendations to the Fisheries Council on the European Commission’s proposal on fishing opportunities for certain Deep Sea stocks for 2017 and 2018. This is the first time that these TACs have been set since the recent agreement of the new EU deep sea access regime. The Fisheries Council will conclude on 15 November, and we ask the Council to endorse our recommendations in order to ensure more sustainable utilisation of our common marine resources. Our letter to Ministers can be found here.
Baltic TACs 2017
October 10, 2016
Here you can find a table with the quotas, decided by Council, in the Baltic Sea fisheries for 2017.
Council brief on Baltic TACs for 2017
October 1, 2016
This briefing provide recommendations to the Fisheries Council on the European Commission’s proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic for 2017. This is the first time that Baltic TACs have been set since the adoption of the Baltic multiannual management plan. The Fisheries Council will conclude on 11 October, and we ask the Council to endorse our recommendations in order to ensure more sustainable utilisation of our common marine resources. Our news story can be found here
Baltic mulitiannual management plan
September 20, 2016
Here you can find the legislation relating to the Baltic multiannual management plan. This was decided through co-decision between the Council and European Parliament, and came into force in time to be the basis for the 2017 quotas.