Are EU Fisheries Ministers Willing to End Overfishing?

Agreement overdue on Baltic multi-annual fishing plan that meets CFP objectives

Boats dockedCorey Arnold

Final negotiations among European Union decision-makers on a multi-annual plan (MAP) for fisheries in the Baltic Sea started just over nine months ago. They haven’t concluded yet. Why?

In the trilogue process, the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission all take part in the negotiations. For the Baltic MAP, the initial Commission proposal included weaker objectives than those in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Then, fisheries ministers in the Council sought greater flexibility to continue overfishing. In April, the Parliament voted—with a decisive mandate—to oppose these positions, which would undermine the CFP.

And that is where the negotiations have been lodged, with inconclusive discussions continuing about ranges of fishing and overfishing.

The Dutch Council presidency, represented by Martijn Van Dam, has so far resisted asking the Council to change its position, while the Parliament, led by Jarosław Wałęsa, continues to push for the CFP to be implemented as intended.

When Van Dam recently went before the Parliament to present the Dutch Council presidency’s priorities, he stated: “Of course, [the Baltic plan] has to be in line with the CFP.” And he is right.

With negotiations scheduled to reconvene March 15, the question is: Will Van Dam acknowledge that the Council’s position contradicts the CFP and that Parliament is correct to oppose it? And will he seek a new mandate from fisheries ministers to adapt the Council’s position in order to secure a compromise? As the first in a series of MAPs to be negotiated, the Baltic agreement will show how willing and ready the parties are to implement the CFP.

These plans are a critical part of the reformed CFP; they will specify the details for management of each fishery, including the levels of fishing. Getting these MAPs right can end decades of overfishing. Getting them wrong—by failing to follow the CFP objectives—risks continuing the cycle of putting short-term interests ahead of sustainable fishing and the health of the marine environment.

Andrew Clayton directs The Pew Charitable Trusts’ efforts to end overfishing in north-western Europe.

America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Article

37 Scientists Pioneering the Future of Biomedical Research

Quick View
Article

Biomedical researchers are at the heart of nearly every medical advancement. From cutting-edge cancer treatments to breakthrough discoveries about emerging viruses, these scientists use creativity and ingenuity to explore new horizons in human health and medicine. And for nearly 40 years, The Pew Charitable Trusts has supported more than 1,000 early-career researchers committed to this work.

Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics

Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?