CFP reform does not go far enough

THE SCOTTISH government has criticised plans to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) published by the European Commission on Wednesday.

The EC said that under a “radical approach to fisheries management in Europe” both fish stocks and fishermen’s livelihoods should be secured for the future, while at the same time putting an end to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks.

Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead said the plans did not go nearly far enough, and some were “ill-fitting” for the mixed fisheries of the Scottish fleet.

However he welcomed the clearer emphasis on conservation and the commitment to tackle “the scandal of discards”.

Under the proposals announced by fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki, all fish stocks in European waters will have to be brought back to sustainable levels by 2015.

“This means that we have to manage each stock wisely, harvesting what we can but keeping the stock healthy and productive for the future. This will bring us higher catches, a sound environment and a secure seafood supply.

“If we get this reform right, fishermen and coastal communities will be better off in the long run. And all Europeans will have a wider choice of fresh fish, both wild and farm produced,” she said.

Mr Lochhead said: “I’m pleased that the meaningful conservation of stocks is set to be at the heart of a reformed CFP, with the ecological and economic madness of the discarding of marketable fish – currently enforced on our fishermen by the CFP – to be addressed.

“I am concerned, however, that a one-step move to a blanket ban on discards could prove counter-productive. Instead, we should be working with fishermen on practical measures that would stop these discarded fish being caught in the first place.”

The European Commission’s CFP proposals and other supporting documents can be accessed at: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/reform/