Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Change 15

Changed29.70. Calls on the Commission to base all its political and legislative initiatives (including implementing acts that set restrictions on fisheries) on the best available scientific, technical and economic advice (including fishers’ experience)empirical knowledge) and consultation and participation of the fisheries sector and other relevant stakeholders and on prior socio-economic impact assessments;assessments using innovative tools such as those developed in the CABFishman project, which analyses the impacts of fisheries on coastal areas;

Change 16

Removed30. Considers that the ACs should be given the possibility to contribute to the Commission’s requests for advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) in order to foster closer collaboration between scientists and stakeholders;

Added71. Calls on the Member States to increase their human and material resources and to equip them for suitable scientific campaigns and projects so that they have sufficient knowledge of the species targeted by conservation policies;

Removed31. Calls on the Commission to systematically inform the European Parliament about these requests;

Added72. Calls for the EMFAF to provide effective support to more selective and less impacting fishing techniques for EU fishing fleets, and in particular to support fishers impacted the most by restrictions, based on scientific impact assessments on the use of specific fishing techniques; encourages the Commission to promote the scientific concept of ‘pêchécologie’ (‘fishecology’) which aims to reconcile conservation measures and sustainable use of the sea’s living resources;

Added73. Considers that the ACs should be given the possibility of contributing to the Commission’s requests for advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) in order to foster closer collaboration between scientists and stakeholders;

Added74. Calls on the Commission to systematically inform the European Parliament about these requests, in particular the way in which they contribute to the objectives of the CFP;

The integration of fisheries into a wider policy context

Change 17

Changed32.75. Stresses the need to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture are given a fair place in comparison with other sectors in policy design and in spatial planning; recalls the need to establish a better balance between the various economic activities pertaining to the Blue Economy in order to reduce and avoid conflicts and foster synergies, especially with renewable marine energy infrastructures, through the Directive on maritime spatial planning; points out that this requires broad and inclusive stakeholder participation;

76. Recalls that environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the CFP with a view to promoting sustainable development, in line with the TFEU;

Change 18

Removed34. Underlines that fisheries and environmental policy must be aligned, but that environmental objectives cannot prevail over the CFP objectives;

Added77. Stresses that it is impossible to manage fisheries as a standalone policy, and calls on the Commission to implement the CFP in synergy with all EU public policies affecting the hydrosphere and taking into account all of the challenges associated with Europe’s maritime areas;

RemovedExternal dimension of the CFP

Added78. Underlines that, notably, the CFP must be consistent with EU environmental legislation, in particular with the objective of achieving a good environmental status as set out in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and be implemented respecting the three pillars of sustainability equally;

Removed35. Calls on the Commission to promote the CFP as a policy model for ocean governance and to defend the EU fishing sector’s interests in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements, and more generally in international forums;

Added79. Stresses the need for other EU policies and strategies to sufficiently take into account and be coherent with the CFP;

Removed36. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the CFP objectives are fully integrated into the EU position in all international environmental forums, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), where questions relative to marine biological resources are discussed;

Added80. Notes the need for a holistic approach, ensuring proper support to the fisheries and aquaculture sector, when implementing measures designed to improve conditions for the marine environment;

Removed37. Considers that imported seafood products must be subject to high environmental and social standards, similar to those applied in the EU;

Added81. Recalls that Article 13 TFEU provides that, in formulating and implementing the EU’s fisheries policy, the EU and its Member States should pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States.

Added82. Calls on the Commission to further increase science-based knowledge on the welfare of farmed aquatic animals and to take this research into consideration in future policy developments in aquaculture; stresses that, any future policy developments should also take practical feasibility into account in aquaculture management and should not add economic and operational burden to operators’ and activities, and should also consider the need to ensure an international level playing field;

Added83. Considers that the marketing of purely plant-based products under the trade name ‘fish’ or fish species may lead to some confusion for consumers at the time of purchase; asserts that the trade name ‘fish’ or fish species should be reserved in the internal market for fishery or aquaculture products of animal origin;

Added84. Calls on the Commission to review, update and give regulatory content to the concept of an ‘area heavily dependent on fisheries’, so that this recognition provides differentiated treatment aimed at preserving fisheries in these areas through a preferential distribution of fishing quotas; supports the view that the defining elements of an updated concept of ‘area heavily dependent on fisheries’ should include the production of quality animal protein, the contribution to food security or ensuring high added value to catches and other sea products, as well as the social importance of the activity;

AddedSmall-scale fisheries

Added85. Notes that some aspects of the CFP might not cater adequately for the small-scale fishing sector and that its vital socio-economic role in many coastal communities and its strategic role in the availability of food supply must be secured;

Added86. Takes the view that the CFP should sufficiently take into account the diverse nature, specific characteristics and problems of the small-scale fishing and shellfish sectors;

Added87. Draws attention to the need for greater involvement and participation of small-scale fishing professionals in the management, definition and implementation of fisheries policies, as well as in ACs;

Added88. Takes the view that a review of the CFP should include a common, broad and appropriate definition of small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries; stresses that this definition should be pragmatic, measureable and clear; also emphasises that this definition should derive from an appropriate assessment that takes into account the specific characteristics and criteria of the small-scale segment, rather than focus solely on vessel length, in order to arrive at a definition of small-scale fisheries that better reflects the reality of the segment;

Added89. Calls for the Commission, together with the ACs, to propose a harmonised definition to be included in a review of the CFP Basic Regulation in order for it to cover all EU fisheries legislation, where appropriate; considers that any of the changes outlined above should not impact the implementation of the EMFAF during the current budgetary period;

AddedQuota allocation

Added90. Emphasises that, under Article 17, when allocating the fishing opportunities available to their fleet, Member States are to use transparent and objective criteria, including those of an environmental, social and economic nature; stresses that it is up to the Member States to determine the criteria they use when allocating fishing opportunities;

Added91. Welcomes the fact that the current allocation methods based largely on historical rights allow for a certain level of economic stability in the fishing sector, which can be a condition enabling operators to innovate and adopt more sustainable techniques;

Added92. Stresses that an easily accessible system of fishing opportunities along with transparent criteria for its allocation and transparency on its practical application allows for better scrutiny, a level playing field, equal opportunities for all interested parties and more predictability, stability and legal certainty for fishers;

Added93. Deplores the lack of transparency regarding the distribution of fishing opportunities in certain Member States and calls for the criteria to be made public, in line with the applicable data protection legislation;

Added94. Considers that the allocation methods should be developed and applied with the involvement of fishing communities, regional authorities and other relevant stakeholders, making sure all fleet segments, producers’ organisations (POs) and workers’ organisations are fairly represented, based on the best available scientific advice, and that they should include safeguards such as notice periods to allow fishers to adapt in case Member States decide to change their allocation method;

Added95. Urges the Council to take into account the specificities and needs of each fleet segment, including the small-scale segment, when allocating fishing opportunities;

Added96. Recalls the role of Article 17 of the CFP as a tool to provide incentives for low-impact and small-scale fisheries and that it is for Member States to make use of the possibilities offered by it, such as incentives to use more selective fishing gear or use fishing techniques with reduced energy consumption or habitat impact;

Added97. Notes that the Commission will initiate discussions among Member States and stakeholders with a view to preparing a vade mecum on the allocation of fishing opportunities in order to improve transparency, promote sustainable fishing practices across the EU, and support small scale and coastal fisheries;

AddedProducers’ organisations and guilds

Added98. Underlines the role of POs in promoting sustainability, in contributing to the availability of food supply and in enhancing growth and employment in the fishing and aquaculture sectors through, inter alia:

Added- the management and implementation of collective actions;

Added- the linking of producers, first buyers and consumers in the supply chain,

Added- the promotion of viable and sustainable fishing products to consumers by participating in certification schemes;

Added- the promotion of compliance with fishing regulation, supporting traceability and enhancing transparency and data quality in catch declarations so as to combat IUU fishing;

Added- the distribution and management, in some Member States, of fishing quotas;

Added99. Further notes that, in many Member States, relatively few small-scale fishers belong to POs, and even fewer small-scale fishers have their own dedicated POs, limiting their capacity to benefit from this channel to access fishing quotas; encourages, therefore, the Commission and the Member States to facilitate and encourage the creation of POs for and by small-scale fishers;

Added100. Stresses that fishers’ associations such as guilds, pursuing the main objectives of a PO under the Common Markets Organisation, should be eligible to receive financial aid on an equal footing with currently recognised POs; insists, in this regard, that the Member States concerned, the Commission and guilds should, in concert, consider relevant options and solutions;

AddedGenerational renewal and role of women

Added101. Points out that CFP standards are among the highest worldwide and make an important contribution to environmental, economic and social sustainability and that, although there is still much room for improvement, progress made in recent decades shows what can be done to further contribute, on the one hand, to the sustainability of fish stocks and habitats and, on the other, to increase the earnings of fishers and ship owners; highlights that promoting high standards in terms of the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fisheries sector is, among other factors, key to attracting a new generation of fishers and to providing long-term economic stability for the sector;

Added102. Notes that the protection of the environment is a growing concern for Europeans, in particular younger generations; stresses the importance of sustainable management of fisheries to attract young fishers; calls, in this regard, for the promotion of low-impact fishing;

Added103. Further calls on the Commission to ensure that part of the financial contributions under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements is also allocated, where possible, to the better integration of young people and women in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, to the restoration of the marine environment and to the improvement of knowledge about the state of the climate and the marine environment;

Added104. Stresses the need to attract young people not only to sea fishing activities, but also to fishing enterprise management and aquaculture, so as to ensure generational renewal across the entire aquatic food sector;

Added105. Highlights that generational renewal is important to counter the demographic challenges facing coastal and surrounding rural areas, in particular, and will contribute to preserving their cultural heritage;

Added106. Welcomes the fact that the 2021-2027 EMFAF provides assistance and support for young fishers making their first purchase of a vessel or fishing enterprise; calls in this regard on the Commission and Member States to promote generational renewal by supporting people who want to start a career in the fisheries sector and removing obstacles, such as addressing the high cost of starting a business, income instability, gender inequality and the lack of career stability;

Added107. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to provide with new measures, as well as on the sector to take measures, that will stimulate the inclusion of young people and women at all levels of the sector and better promote generational renewal, in particular by making all jobs in the fishing and aquaculture value chain more attractive, safer and better paid;

Added108. Stresses the importance of ensuring proper information and training, especially for young people, to ensure knowledge sharing in particular in relation to the contribution of fisheries to sustainability issues; believes this to be important in order to guarantee both their personal situation, contributing to improving their income, and by extension the cohesion of their local communities, especially in the most isolated coastal regions, with fewer job opportunities;

Added109. Underlines that generational renewal must take into account the objectives of the European Green Deal and the need to ensure digital transition also in a sustainable blue economy; considers, however, that generational renewal must not lead to a clash between generations and should include fishers of all ages, ensuring balance in the ecological and digital transition in order to ensure that the legacy of experience is not lost; further calls for enhanced mobility and employment opportunities throughout the EU, without difficulties or restrictions regarding recognition of fishers skills and training;

Added110. Recognises the important role of women in the logistical and administrative support for fishing vessels as well as in the marketing and processing of fish; highlights, however, that this role is often overlooked or barely visible, in particular as fishers or vessel masters as well as their role in science;

Added111. Calls, therefore, on the Commission to launch initiatives to acknowledge women’s work in fisheries and to enhance the visibility of their role, both by favouring their incorporation in its various areas, and by supporting a better representation of women in all representative organisations and entities, and to secure equal payment between genders;

Added112. Recalls that the Gender Equality Strategy for 2020-2025 requires that the relevant EU funds support actions, such as EMFAF, to promote women’s work-life balance and participation in the labour market, promote investments in care facilities, support female entrepreneurship, and combat gender segregation;