Fishing is a natural, renewable, mobile and shared resource that is part of our common heritage. The objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (detailed in article 33, paragraph 1 of the TEC) are shared by the Common Fisheries Policy to the extent that article 32 defines as agricultural products “'the products of the soil, of stock-farming and of fisheries and products of first-stage processing directly related to these products”.

The CFP has four distinct aims:

European Commissioner Maria Damanaki (Greece) took charge of the fisheries brief in 2010

See her biography [FR]

• Conservation and sustainable exploitation of resources:
  In order to find a good balance between the competitive fishing industry and sustainable fish stocks, and to avoid returning to the overfishing scenarios of the past, the EU regulates the volume of product coming from fishing and aquaculture. In fact, excessive exploitation of fishing resources has posed a serious threat to several fish stocks thus harming the balance of the marine ecosystem and depriving fishermen of a sustainable source of income. So, every December, the Council of the EU decides on the quantity of fish that European fishermen can catch in the following year. This is based on scientific studies.
  
  

• Enable the sector to adapt and modernise:
  In order to help the fishing sector to adapt and to increase profitability, credits are given to investment projects in the field of fishing and aquaculture for the development of the market and the modernisation of fishing boats. This aid can also be used to filter out fishing overcapacity.
  
  

• Restructuring the fleet:
  The 2002 reform introduced a system limiting the fishing capacity of the European Union so that the European fleet can adapt to available resources.
  
  

• Commercialisation of fishing products:
  This involves stabilising the markets, guaranteeing a quality product at a reasonable price and supporting fishermen’s income.
  
  

Originally, the Common Fisheries Policy was part of the Common Agricultural Policy. In the 1970s however, following the introduction of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) by Member States and the progressive entry into the Union of countries with large fleets, a separate identity for the Common Fisheries Policy gradually emerged.

Although there was mention of a fisheries policy as far back as the Treaty of Rome, it was only in 1970 that the Council adopted acts establishing common organisation of the markets for fish products and put in place a structural community policy for fisheries

When the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark became members of the European Community in 1972, it led to the fundamental principle of free access to the sea being abandoned. Exclusive coastal fishing rights were extended from 12 to 200 nautical miles and Member States entrusted management of their fishing resources to the EC.

In 1983, after several years of negotiations, the Council adopted regulation (EEC) no. 170/83, establishing the “new generation” CFP, which enshrined commitment with regard to EEZs, established the concept of relative stability and provided for conservatory management measures based on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas.

The CFP also had to adapt to the withdrawal of Greenland from the Community in 1985, the accession of Spain and Portugal in 1986 and the reunification of Germany in 1990. These three events have had an impact on the size and structure of the Community fleet and its catch potential.

In 1992, a regulation containing provisions governing fisheries policy until 2002 endeavoured to remedy the serious imbalance between fleet capacity and catch potential. The concept of ‘fishing effort’ was introduced to restore and maintain the balance between available resources and fishing activities.

However, these measures were not effective in stopping overfishing and the depletion of many fish stocks continued. This situation resulted in a large-scale reform of the CFP being adopted at the end of 2002 which then came into force in 2003.

Green Paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

How can fleet overcapacity and overfishing be stopped? How can we make sure that fishing policy plays its part in protecting marine life? How can the overall capacity of the fleet be adjusted without worsening the social problems of coastal communities? What role should aquaculture play within the CFP framework? What measures should be taken to put an end to discards?

These are some of the many questions asked in the green paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy adopted on April 21st 2009 by the European Commission. A large public consultation was held ending on December 31st 2009 and the results from this will be taken into account for future reform of the CFP

See the Green Paper [pdf]In December 2002, the Council adopted three regulations that entered into force on January 1st 2003: the first was regarding conservation and sustainable exploitation of fishing resources; the second defined rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector; the third established an emergency Community measure for scrapping fishing vessels.

The new CFP, which came about due to this reform, primarily aims to ensure a sustainable future for the fisheries sector by guaranteeing stable incomes and jobs for fishermen while preserving the fragile balance of marine ecosystems and supplying consumers. 

The new CFP is an integral part of the Community’s policy on sustainable development.

On September 29th 2008, during an informal Council meeting, a re-assessment of the CFP was officially launched. During this meeting, a first analysis was carried out and some reform measures were discussed on the basis of a European Commission working document [pdf].

On April 21st 2009, the European Commission adopted a green paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, which was open to consultation until December 31st 2009 in order to stimulate public debate and to gather opinions on the future of the CFP.

The Commission used the results of this large public consultation exercise to enrich and validate its analysis and to reflect on reform measures. At the end of this public debate, the Commission prepared a proposal which will be presented to Council and to the European Parliament with a view to adopting a reform that should enter into force from 2013.

The Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA)

Created in 2005 and established in Vigo (Spain), a large European fishing port, the CFCA plays a vital role in the coordination of measures aiming to strengthen uniformity and efficiency of implementing the CFP. It does this by pooling national and community resources for controlling fishing activity and monitoring resources, as well as by coordinating implementation measures. With the Lisbon Treaty, the necessary legislation for the pursuit of CFP objectives is henceforth adopted through ordinary legislative procedure (formerly codecision procedure). The European Parliament has thus become co-legislator.

However, article 13, paragraph 3 of the TFEU makes provisions that “measures on fixing prices, levies, aid and quantitative limitations and on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities” be adopted by the Council at the proposal of the Commission.

The new CFP resulting from the 2002 reform should cover the biological, economic and social dimensions of fishing.


The new Common Fisheries Policy includes numerous developments particularly in the following domains:

A new policy for the fleet and more precisely:

• A simpler policy for the fleet introducing responsibility, on Member States, to ensure that their fishing capacity matches fishing opportunities;
  
  
• Progressive elimination of public funds to private investors that aimed to renew or modernise fishing boats, while funds aiming to improve safety and working conditions on board are to be maintained.
  
  

Access to community waters: Access to coastal waters (under national jurisdiction), within the 12 nautical mile limit of coasts (about 22km), is reserved for local fishermen and small fishing boats from other European countries that have traditionally fished in these areas. From 12 to 200 nautical miles, access is open to all EU boats. Beyond that is international waters.

Multiannual management plans: Developed by the European Commission, these plans establish by species and by fishing zone, the “total allowable catches” (TAC – maximum quantity of fish that cannot be exceeded). This puts fishermen in a better position to plan their work. Each TAC is divided by Member State in the form of quotas (fishing rights per Member State). Emergency measures can be taken by the European Commission for a six-month period in response to any threat that fishing poses to the marine ecosystem. Member States are permitted to take such measures in their national waters for a period of three months. 

Socio-economic measures to support the industry in the transition period:

• Aid has been increased for temporary cessation of activities to support fishermen and shipowners who have to temporarily stop their fishing activity;
• Aid for early retirement of fishermen and for retraining in other professional activities, which enables those who want to continue fishing to do so on a part-time basis.

The development of aquaculture: Aquaculture is one of the ways of compensating for diminishing fish stocks. The EU’s aquacultural industry produces some 1.3 million tonnes of fish products (mainly blue mussels, rainbow trout, carp, sea bream and salmon) to a value of about €3 billion. In order to be able to offer a greater range of products and to improve the marketing strategies to guarantee the sector’s future, the EU offers financial assistance. Development of the aquaculture sector not only provides consumers with a wide range of fish products at a reasonable price, it also creates jobs in regions that are affected by reduced income from high seas fishing. 

The protection of young fish and crustaceans: This is ensured by banning or limiting certain fishing techniques and by controlling the size of fish products that are landed. Fishing with driftnets has thus been completely banned since January 1st 2002. In some breeding areas, fishing activity is restricted or even banned. 

Fairer and more efficient checks: These are carried out by national or community inspectors in the framework of the new community control and enforcement system. Member States will continue to be responsible for the application of sanctions for infringements but cooperation among Member States will be strengthened. To this end, a Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) was created.

More direct and greater involvement of fishermen in the decisions that affect them: In order to develop the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission and national representatives from the fishing sector meet regularly within the framework of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA). The EU proposes strengthening consultation with Member States by creating Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) composed of fishermen, scientists and representatives of professional organisations related to the sector.

As part of the 2002 reform, the Commission has also presented a series of community action plans aiming to clarify some aspects of the CFP. In particular:

― a Community Action Plan on fisheries in the Mediterranean;
―a Community Action Plan to integrate environmental protection requirements into the CFP;
― a Community Action Plan for the eradication of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU);
― a strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture;
― an Action Plan to counter the social, economic and regional consequences of the restructuring of the community’s fishing industry;
― a Community Action Plan to reduce discards of fish;
― the creation of a single inspection structure – the Community Fisheries Control Agency.


In addition, two important Commission communications complement the new CFP:

― a communication on partnership agreements with third countries regarding fishing;
― a communication on improving scientific advice for fisheries management;
―as well as a compliance work plan and scoreboard to comply with the rules of the CFP.

In 2010, the Common Fisheries Policy will receive €921 million.

Since January 1st 2007, the FIFG has been replaced by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) which has €3.8 billion at its disposal for the 2007-2013 programming period. The amount is divided up among Member States according to the importance of their fishing sector, the number of people employed in the sector and the adjustments deemed necessary for fishing and for continuing activity in the sector.

This new fund allows the latest reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to be applied and supports restructuring of the sector. The EFF provides for five main priority areas:

• measures to adapt the EU fishing fleet;
• aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing;
• collective action: projects would be eligible for aid from the EFF on the condition that they contribute to the sustainable development or conservation of resources, to improving the services offered by fishing ports, to strengthening markets in fishery products and to promoting partnerships between scientists and operators in the fisheries sector;
• sustainable development of fishing areas;
• technical assistance: the EFF may finance initiatives involving preparations, monitoring, administrative and technical support, evaluations, auditing and checks needed to implement this regulation.

Some actions may also be eligible for European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) and European Social Funds (ESF), for example for the retraining of fishermen in other professions.

The EAGGF (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund) provides price support mechanisms on the fisheries market.

Fishing also has a place in the 7th Research Framework Programme with a view to improving scientific knowledge in the CFP.

National strategic plans and operational programmes for 2007-2013

The projects that will benefit from European aid will not be chosen at European level but at Member State level. In partnership with regional authorities and with the various agencies representing the fisheries sector, each Member State must define its priorities.

These priorities take shape in two documents: a strategic plan and an operational programme. The strategic plan should present a broad vision of the development of fishing and aquaculture in the medium term by the Member State as well as how it plans to fulfil its CFP objectives.

The operation programme is created to implement the policies and priorities that will be co-financed by the EFF. France’s national strategic plan and operational programme were approved by the European Commission in December 2007.

In practice, the Common Fisheries Policy involves:

• The setting of a minimum mesh size for nets;
• The establishment of a strict entry/exit regime for fishing boats;
• The establishment of zones and seasons closed to fisheries;
• The setting of a minimum landing size for fish and crustaceans landed;
• Since 2001, there has been a recovery plan for cod and Northern hake stocks;
• lRemoval of public aid for renewing the fleet since 2005 in order to limit fishing capacity of the community fleet. To compensate, the EU has created a scrapping fund of €32 million to help Member States to substantially reduce their fishing effort;
• Aid for modernising fishing boats that are more than five years old;
• Establishment of financial compensation for fishermen and shipowners who have to cease fishing activity due to recovery plans for fishing stock. The EU also helps them to retrain in other professions;
• To ensure that community rules are being adhered to, the EU extended the use of satellite-based vessel monitoring systems to boats over 15 metres in length.

Sources

The Common Fisheries Policy – European Commission

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy – European Commission

Council Regulation on the European Fisheries Fund

Find out more

French Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries

Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries – European Commission

Mise à jour : mars 2010