CHM - ORTEnsure long-term sustainability for fisheries based on clear objectives for the sustainable management of fish stocks (e.g. maximum sustainable yield), the availability of food supplies and a fair standard of living for fisheries communities.
Overview
Main legislation in place:
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets a comprehensive legal framework to ensure that fisheries are environmentally sustainable and are managed in a way that is consistent with the objectives of achieving economic, social and employment benefits:
The CFP Regulation aims to ensure that fishing activities are environmentally sustainable in the long-term.
The Technical Measures Regulation lays down, amongst others, technical measures concerning the interaction of fishing activities with marine ecosystems to minimise the negative environmental impacts of fishing on marine habitats.
The Mediterranean Regulation regulates management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea.
Multiannual Plans:
- Baltic - Regulation
- North Sea - Regulation
- Western Waters - Regulation
- Western Mediterranean - Regulation
Various Fishing opportunities regulations covering Union waters and Union vessels outside Union waters (Atlantic, North Sea, RFMOs, Coastal States and bilateral agreements), for the Baltic Sea, for the Mediterranean and Black Sea, for deep sea species, Protocols to SFPAs
- European Eel Regulation
- EU Shark Finning Regulation
- Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems Regulation
- EU Deep Sea Access Regulation
- Council Regulation on Western waters effort regime
- EU Regulation on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) + IUU Implementing Regulation
- EU Data Collection Framework Regulation + EU-MAP Multiannual programme from 2022 - Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167 and Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1168
- Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation, Common Marketing Standards Regulation
- European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation
- Fishing Fleet Register Implementing Regulation
- EU Regulation as regards restrictions to the access to Union waters
- Advisory Council detailed rules Delegated Regulation
- Regulation on measures towards countries allowing non-sustainable fishing
- Various Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) transposition legislative acts
- Various Commission delegated acts on the conservation measures necessary to comply with the environmental obligations
Key environmental obligations are enshrined in:
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires Member States to adopt marine strategies with an ecosystem-based approach to human activities and enabling the sustainable use of marine goods and services by present and future generations. The Directive requires the EU Member States to reach a good environmental status (GES) for 11 descriptors describing the state of the marine environment and the pressures affecting it, including fisheries.
The Water Framework Directive establishes a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater.
The Habitats Directive aims to contribute towards ensuring biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the EU, including aquatic habitats and species.
The Regulation revising the fisheries control system aims to update the Union system for control, inspection and enforcement to ensure compliance with the rules of the CFP.
The Nature Restoration Law will help fish stocks to recover and contribute to providing economic and social benefits from increased catch to fishers (for more detail, see the EU contribution to Target 2).
Legislation proposed:
N/A
Other policy instruments:
Fisheries policy package, including the:
- Communication on the functioning of the common fisheries policy
- EU Action plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries. The Action Plan includes a call to phase out mobile bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030 (or introducing less damaging fishing gears or techniques); increase selectivity; protect sensitive species; support the fisheries sector in the just and fair transition by maximising the use of available funds; strengthen the knowledge base, research and innovation; improve implementation, monitoring and enforcement; and improve governance, stakeholder involvement and outreach.
- Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector
- Report on the Implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products
The EU Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks
EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters under the Horizon Europe
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 in particular the following targets and actions in the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker:
Target 15: The negative impacts on sensitive species and habitats, including on the seabed through fishing and extraction activities, are substantially reduced to achieve good environmental status
Target 16: The by-catch of species is eliminated or reduced to a level that allows species recovery and conservation
- Action 54: Implement measures to reduce and maintain fishing mortality at or under maximum sustainable yield
- Action 55: New Action Plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems (for more detail, see above)
- Action 57: Establish fisheries management measures in marine protected areas
- Action 58a: Establish seabed integrity threshold values
- Action 58b: Support the transition to more selective and less damaging fishing techniques through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
- Action 59: Ensure that Member States monitor by-catch, step up data collection and take measures to eliminate or, where not possible, to minimise by-catch
| Objectifs mondiaux | Degré d’alignement |
GBF-T10. GBF-T10.Assurer une gestion durable des zones agricoles, aquacoles, halieutiques et forestières, en particulier grâce à l'utilisation durable de la biodiversité, notamment en augmentant significativement le recours à des pratiques respectueuses de la biodiversité, telles que l'intensification durable, l'agroécologie et d'autres approches innovantes, contribuant ainsi à améliorer la résilience, l'efficacité et la productivité à long terme de ces systèmes de production, ainsi qu'à renforcer la sécurité alimentaire, à conserver et à restaurer la biodiversité et à préserver les contributions de la nature aux populations, y compris les fonctions et les services écosystémiques. | Élevé |
GBF-T09. GBF-T09.Garantir une gestion et une utilisation durables des espèces sauvages, de façon à procurer des avantages sociaux, économiques et environnementaux aux populations, en particulier aux populations vulnérables et à celles qui dépendent le plus de la biodiversité, notamment grâce à des activités, des produits et des services durables liés à la biodiversité qui contribuent à son amélioration, et protéger et promouvoir les pratiques traditionnelles d'utilisation durable des peuples autochtones et des communautés locales. | Élevé |
GBF-T05. GBF-T05.Assurer une utilisation, des prélèvements et un commerce durables, sûrs et légaux des espèces sauvages, en évitant la surexploitation, en minimisant les incidences sur les espèces et les écosystèmes non visés et en réduisant le risque de propagation des agents pathogènes, conformément à l'approche écosystémique, tout en respectant et en protégeant les pratiques traditionnelles des peuples autochtones et des communautés locales en matière d'utilisation durable. | Élevé |
This EU Contribution aligns with GBF Target 10, the element on the sustainable management of areas under fisheries. It also aligns with GBF Targets 5 and 9, as it addresses the sustainable management of species covered by the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.