1. The Common Fisheries Policy
of the European Union
Niki Sporrong

2. A history of conflict Between individual fishermen
Between groups of fishermen
Between different countries
With other user interests and other stakeholders
But cooperation can lead to good solutions

3. The EU Common Fisheries Policy
Article 38, The Treaty of Rome 1957
Basic principles established in 1967
Market & structural policies 1970
Independent Directorate General 1976
External relations policy1977
Resource management policy in 1983
10-year reformcycle: 1992, 2002 & 2012

4. Today: four main pillars
Resource management: TACs, technical measures, conservation
Structural policy: fleet and infrastructure
Market policy: trade, price support, labeling and consumer information
External policy: fisheries partnership agreements (access) and international agreements
Policy objectives partially contradictive

5. The 2002 reform
80 % of stocks in North East Atlantic outside safe biological limits in 2001
Demersal stocks at < 10 % of 1970s levels
Increase in pelagic species
25 % of catch consists of unwanted bycatch
Fleet estimated to be twice the sustainable size
Generous subsidies
Illegal fishing possibly at 40 %
Around jobs lost in

6. Changes in 2002 reform
Conservation and resource management more central to the policy: recovery plans, long-term management plans, precautionary principle and ecosystembased management
National management of fleet size
Initially fewer changes in control and monitoring
Significant changes in the subsidies regime
Increased stakeholder participation in the policy process – RACs

7. Implementation phase Long-term managment plans
Increased protection of the wider marine environment
Days at sea restrictions
Gear changes, landing sizes
New IUU Regulation and Control Regulation
Support for diversification
RACs
Slow process, lowest common denominator, Business as usual

8. Leading up to 2012 reform the EU Common Fisheries Policy is still considered to be a failure:
Fleet still too large – possibly increased
Most European fish stocks still overfished (30 % o sbl; 80 % below MSY)
93 % of North Sea cod taken immature
Landings fell by 30 % in 10 years

9. Even the European Commission describes it as such:
Poor economic performance
High environmental impact
High fuel consumption
Low contribution to EU food supply
Consumers thinks CFP not sustainable
MS costs for management & subsidies > than value of catches

10. Why is it not working? Short term profitability dominates
Allocation of access rules
Lack of sector buy in – cheating the rules
Lack of complete mortality data
National interests influence EU policy
Still conflicting objectives

11. Possible solutions
Prioritisation of environmental objectives, following scientific advice
Long-term management objectives
Minimise bycatch and effects on the wider marine environment (LIF)
Access regime that promotes LIF
Decision-making framework differentiating between strategic and management decisions
Transparent and participatory decision-making
Removal of harmful subsidies (structural)

12. Wider changes affecting the CFP
Internationally agreed targets, such as MSY by 2015, leading to gradual change of EU targets for resources
International and EU environmental legislation (BDC, Habitats Directive, MSFD, MSP)
The Lisbon Treaty and the EP role (2010)
Fuel prices and financial crisis
Increased involvement from civil society
Greater scrutiny by media
Public campaigns and social networking sites

13. Where are we today?

14. Future policy now in the hands of Council and EP with Commission “guidance” - trialogue