|
Paris meeting debates key challenges to fisheries management in Europe |
|
|
|
|
At an executive committee meeting of the North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council (NWWRAC) in Paris on April 21, the forthcoming review of the Common Fisheries Policy, the reform of the control system, and the marine spatial planning policy were discussed with representatives from the EU Commission and the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES)
Initiatives to improve management of stocks such as West of Scotland haddock, nephrops in VII, scallops in the Channel and Celtic Sea cod were also discussed.
The NWWRAC is the principal stakeholder group, incorporating representatives from the fishing industry and environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), consumers and other interested parties. The NWWRAC is consulted by the EU Commission and ICES on all matters relevant to the North West Waters. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
NSRAC pushes for self-regulation |
|
|
|
|
The North Sea Regional Advisory Council (NSRAC) has heavily criticised a new Control Regulation emerging from the European Commission (EC) that questions ‘should the police write the laws?’
The NSRAC believes the Regulation, currently in the discussion phase, is “a backward looking document”, emphasising electronic monitoring and more controls for the EC. It is described as advocating a top-down approach, ignoring recent developments that encouraged a more participative approach.
At a meeting of the NSRAC’s Demersal Working Group in Berlin, members said it appeared to have been written by a control specialist, without regard for wider interests. There was particular anger over the narrowing of the margin of tolerance for weighing catches to less than 5%. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Fishing fleet management policy needs critical scrutiny |
|
|
|
|
Pic. G Mills
By Edward Fahy
Between 1993 and 1997, four key indicators of the value of sea fisheries to the Irish economy – fish landings, aquaculture, processing and exports – rose in value. A working group – the National Strategy Review Group of the Common Fisheries Policy (NSRG) – optimistically projected in 1999 that these indicators would continue to rise until 2006.
This vision of the future was not shared by everyone; the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was notably sceptical in view of the volume of available fish stocks and the constraints imposed by quota. Common sense did little to dampen the euphoria of perceived investment opportunities, however, and fishers’ leaders plus those in state agencies associated with the industry were enthusiastic to proceed towards a larger infrastructure. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Fisheries 
