Roles of European and National Institutions under the Common Fisheries Policy CFP and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive MSFD Regarding Fisheries Management, Scientific Assessment and Monitoring of Stocks

Exploited fish and shellfish stocks in European marine waters underlie the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The next round of reform of the CFP is due for completion in 2012. The exploitation at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) may be confirmed as the environmental objective for good environment status (GES) of exploited fish and shellfish stocks of the reformed CFP and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In this case, the foreseen time horizon to achieve or maintain GES by 2020 appears inconsistent with the World Summit on Sustainable Development UN agreement in 2002, which stipulates that maintenance or restoring of stocks to produce MSY be realized by 2015. The MSFD requires instead that by 2015 the national programmes of measures be designed in order to become operational the following year (2016). The MSFD significantly strengthens Member States¿ competences and responsibilities to maintain or achieve GES for all exploited fish and shellfish stocks inside territorial waters and the EEZs with common goals. This will inevitably guide future Fisheries Council decisions towards long term goals instead of short term national socio-economic concerns. With such provisions, MSFD is thought to foster and harmonise European fisheries management with ecosystem-based approaches. For reasons of simplification, the future revision of the CFP should cover all exploited fish and shellfish stocks in all European Seas including territorial zones and EEZs. Our regional analysis reveals that Member States, in addition to increased fisheries management responsibilities for GES of all exploited stocks, are requested to substantiate their arguments with scientific advice and monitoring programmes of fisheries and resources, especially for fisheries and stocks in their territorial waters and for any stocks not covered by the CFP. Consequently, Member States will need to prepare both for the increased scientific advisory and monitoring efforts expected. The eligibility of additional costs for the Data Collection Framework (DCF) needs to be discussed and decided as soon as these costs are identified and quantified by the competent authorities.

RAETZ Hans-Joachim;  DOERNER Hendrik;  SCOTT Robert;  BARBAS Thomas; 

2009-10-07

ICES

JRC53679