Aquaculture for all

EU Fisheries Committee Votes on Baltic Sea Plan

Cod Sustainability Politics +2 more

EU - The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament has voted on a management plan for sustainable fisheries in the Baltic.

The plan addresses the long-term management of the major commercial stocks of cod, sprat and herring and establishes targets and conservation reference points for stocks.

European Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and maritime Affairs Karmenu Vella said: "The European Commission welcomes European Parliament's progress that ensures the adoption of the Baltic Plan as soon as possible.

"This is what the fishing industry needs. The 196 amendments submitted by the Members of the European Parliament confirm that the plan has drawn a huge interest and not only from the Baltic states.

"The Commission needs time to analyse the voting results in order to understand better the implication of the voted amendments."

The Baltic multiannual plan was adopted by the Commission in October 2014, and is the first one under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.

At the end of April 2015, the AGRIFISH Council will discuss its general approach and the Parliament will vote on the report in its plenary session.

Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of the ocean protection charity Oceana, said: “Our decision makers are bound by law to urgently rebuild European fisheries.

"The plan for the Baltic proposed by the European Commission was not complete, but the MEPs have succeeded in improving it.

"Now it’s up to the Council - 28 EU ministers responsible for fisheries must make sure that the Baltic plan delivers the CFP objectives and is fully in line with the most recent scientific advice, as well as EU environmental legislation, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

“There’s no more time to waste, multiannual plans can and must deliver more fish in the sea and more jobs in the fishing industry as well as better protection for the environment.”

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