EU Action Plan: protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries
DEVE-AD-751686
Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Catherine Chabaud
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The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries to incorporate its suggestions into a resolution on the EU action plan for marine ecosystems and fisheries.¶ It asks the EU to lead on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems, extend the ecosystem-based approach to all blue economy sectors, and support developing countries, especially in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.¶¶ It demands an end to overfishing and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, limits on catches of at-risk species, and measures against destructive practices and pollution.¶¶ It calls for marine protected areas designed with small-scale fishers, a global network or 'Blue Belt', and protection of at least 30% of EU marine areas and strictly 10% by 2030.¶¶ It urges transparency, due diligence in fishery supply chains, human rights safeguards, and financial and technical support for developing countries to implement biodiversity and high seas agreements.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Development proposes that the Committee on Fisheries incorporate its suggestions into the resolution, covering ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, support for developing countries, marine protected areas, transparency and human rights.¶
Key points
- The Committee on Development asks the Committee on Fisheries to include its suggestions in the resolution on the EU action plan for marine ecosystems and fisheries.¶
- It stresses the ocean's role in climate and food systems and calls for EU leadership, a global ecosystem-based approach, and coordination across the blue economy.¶¶
- It calls for EU cooperation with developing countries on renewable marine energy, capacity building, ocean management, and tackling illegal fishing and illicit trade.¶
- It demands immediate action against overfishing and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and says intensive aquaculture dependent on fishmeal cannot solve overfishing.¶
- It expresses concern about Japan's release of radioactive water and calls for international monitoring and an environmental impact assessment.¶
- It calls for national inshore exclusion zones for local and artisanal fishers in partner countries to protect resources from foreign industrial vessels.¶
- It asks the Commission for ambitious mandates for regional fisheries management organisations to improve stock management, data, compliance and transparency.¶
- It calls for decarbonisation of fishing vessels, support for fishing communities in the transition, and full implementation of transparency and non-discrimination clauses in partnership agreements.¶
- It welcomes the action plan's research ambition and calls for technical and financial assistance for capacity building and knowledge transfers with developing countries.¶
- It calls for marine protected areas designed with small-scale fishers, measures against bottom trawling, and a global network of MPAs or 'Blue Belt'.¶
- It calls for transparency in fisheries and extractive industries, enforcement against flags of convenience and transhipment, and compliance by member states' external fleets.¶¶
- It calls for mandatory due diligence for a fair, traceable fishery supply chain free from illegal fishing and human trafficking or slavery.¶
Who is affected
- Developing countries, especially in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, would receive EU capacity building, financing and technical assistance.¶¶¶
- Small-scale fishers and coastal communities would gain protection, involvement in marine protected areas, and support during the energy transition.¶¶¶
- EU member states are asked to implement conservation measures in marine protected areas and comply with fisheries monitoring and control rules.¶
- The fisheries and aquaculture sector is targeted by calls to reduce dependence on fishmeal, decarbonise vessels and ensure supply chain traceability.¶¶¶
- Indigenous peoples and local communities would have their tenure, access and resource rights protected, with free, prior and informed consent required.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 71 % of the earth's surface is covered by the ocean.¶
- 3.3 billion people depend on food from the sea for at least 20 % of their animal protein intake.
- At least 30 % of the EU's marine areas should be protected by 2030.¶
- At least 10 % of the EU's marine areas should be strictly protected by 2030.
- 30 % of the planet should be protected.¶