Fiskeriutskottet uppmanar till översyn av den fleråriga planen för Östersjön

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• Assessment and possible revision of the multi-annual plan for Baltic Sea fisheries
• Total allowable catches (TACs) should be fully aligned with the precautionary approach but taking into account the socio-economic context
• Political decisions should be based on the best available scientific advice

MEPs in the Committee in Fisheries are asking the Commission to assess and possibly revise its Baltic multiannual plan and for a new risk management approach.

With 15 votes in favour, six against and six abstentions, the Fisheries Committee adopted a report drafted by Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA) that calls on the Commission and the Council to use all legal instruments at their disposal to prevent further decline of Baltic Sea fish stocks. MEPs also want the Commission and Council to assess the evolution in the distribution of quotas among fleet segments with the purpose of understanding a possible “causal link” between the pressure on resources and the distribution of quotas by member states. They also call for more social and financial support and compensation for affected communities and fishers.

Assessment and revision of the Regulation

Arguing the EU’s multi-annual plan (MAP) for Baltic Sea fisheries has not delivered on its objectives as it did not restore populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), MEPs urge the Commission to start an evaluation with a view to a possible revision of the Baltic Sea MAP Regulation. The improved approach should be simple, science-based and easy for the sector to comply with.

MEPs also want the new plan for the Baltic Sea to include automatic measures which activate when stocks fall below trigger values set in accordance with the precautionary approach.

Scientific advice

Given the vulnerability of the Baltic ecosystem, the socio-economic factors, the slow recovery rates of stocks, and “the scientific uncertainty of advice”, TACs should take into consideration the need to prevent the disappearance of fish populations, and member states and the Commission should strengthen the implementation of the landing obligation in the region, according to MEPs.

MEPs want advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on precautionary buffers to be considered in the rebuilding of Baltic Sea fish stocks, as well as regarding the ranges above MSY. They also say a comprehensive genetic population mapping in the Baltic Sea of some of the commercially exploited species, such as herring and sprat, is needed.

Predator species, weapons from the Second War II and Russian shadow fleet

MEPs want the Commission and EU countries to take into consideration the need for a scientifically-founded approach to natural predators, comprising local and targeted measures for great cormorants and grey seals, while making sure that adequate monitoring and funding are provided. They insist on asking the Commission to put forward a proposal for an EU great management plan for Baltic Sea fisheries and aquaculture.

On the issue of the thousands of tonnes of conventional and chemical weapons, including WWII unexploded ordnances (UXO), which contaminate the marine environment and threaten human health, MEPs urge the Commission and the member states to “launch a coordinated, long-term, adequately funded EU programme” to locate, neutralise and remove these materials from the Baltic.

They note that the management of the Baltic Sea is hindered by the quotas decided unilaterally by Russia, which exceed the MSY and do not follow scientific advice. Therefore, they call on Council and Commission to consider action to pressure Russia to bring quotas in line with the advice.

Condemning the growing presence of the Russian shadow-fleet in Baltic waters, which operates “with minimal regard for safety, environmental, and regulatory standards” putting the environment at risk of oil spills, MEPs say the Commission should assess how to combat Russia’s shadow fleet and ensure the full enforcement of sanctions against Russia.

Background

The ecological situation in the Baltic Sea has degraded in recent decades and is now facing major environmental challenges, such as warming of the sea, decreasing salinity levels, eutrophication (excessive inputs of nutrients coming mainly from agriculture and wastewater) and invasive species. These challenges, combined with increased uses of the sea for transport, fishing and windfarms, among other things, affect the living and spawning areas of fish and negatively impact the biomass situation of certain commercial fish stocks, such as cod.

Next steps

The report is going to be voted by the whole Parliament during the May plenary session.

Further information

• File procedure
• Profile of the rapporteur Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE, SE) 
• EPRS Study: Evaluation of the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan Regulation 
• Research for PECH Committee - The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea - A change in management needed 
• Research for PECH Committee - Fisheries management in the Baltic Sea - The shift to ecosystem reference points (ERPs) 
• Committee on Fisheries