The European Union has adopted rules to promote sustainable fishing both in Europe and abroad. The Commission adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2026 for the Mediterranean and the Black Seas which promotes the sustainable management of fish stocks. And the council has formally adopted a set of updated rules to better tackle non-sustainable fishing practices allowed by non-EU countries with species of interest to both the EU and the third countries.
On 1 January 2025, the Western Mediterranean MAP for demersal stocks entered into its permanent phase, following the end of a five-year transitional period. For the second year of this permanent phase, the Commission suggests maintaining all sustainable fishing practices established by the MAP. These practices consist of regulating fishing effort for trawlers and longliners, setting catch limits for deep-water shrimps and implementing a compensation mechanism for trawlers.
The Commission promotes an enhanced multilateral approach and cooperation to fisheries management in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The EU multiannual management plan (MAP) for demersal stocks in Western Mediterranean introduced a fishing effort regime for trawlers intended to achieve an overall reduction of up to 40% in five years transitional phase, until 2025. In December 2021, based on scientific advice, the Council introduced a holistic approach, combining effort measures for both trawlers and longliners and catch limits for deep-water shrimps. In addition, the 2022 fishing opportunities Regulation introduced for the first time a new compensation mechanism for trawlers. This mechanism is designed to encourage trawlers to use more selective gear and to fish in areas that avoid juveniles and spawners. The mechanism was further implemented in the subsequent annual fishing opportunities regulations.
From 2025 onwards, the MAP entered its permanent phase where MSY ranges apply. Therefore, the fishing opportunities for 2026 will be determined based on the new recommendations from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF). These recommendations will be used to evaluate various management options and provide the most up-to-date scientific advice.
Sustainability Rules for Third Countries
Additionally, the European Council has formally adopted a set of updated rules to better tackle non-sustainable fishing practices allowed by non-EU countries with species of interest to both the EU and the third countries.
The EU said the rules apply for any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited or accidentally taken, including as by-catch, in the same fishery or fisheries.
EU fishers have been frustrated with their inability to compete with fishing operations of other countries that do not follow the EU’s rules to promote sustainable fishing. The regulation aims to safeguard the long-term sustainability of shared fish stocks, while also ensuring fair competition for European fishers and protecting EU fishing interests.
The revised regulation makes the rules for identifying countries that allow non-sustainable fishing practices clearer and more transparent. The government said non-EU countries will now have a better understanding of the circumstances under which their actions could lead to EU penalties, including import bans or restrictions of fish and fishery products.
In particular, the updated regulation clarifies the notion of ‘failure to cooperate’ and provides a list of examples of non-cooperative behavior such as withholding information relevant for consultations; making unreasonable information requests; and disregarding agreed procedures.
The regulation also fosters cooperation with non-EU countries before and after the EU takes action to address non-sustainable fishing practices.
It ensures a continued dialogue with the third country, as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation, aiming to ensure that the country ceases to allow non-sustainable fishing. In line with the new rules, third countries will have 90 days to reply to a notification on the Commission’s intention to identify it as non-cooperative.
