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OPINION (COM(2022)0304 – C90208/2022 – 2022/0195(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Nature restoration

PECH-AD-738472

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Caroline Roose

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The Committee on Fisheries gives its opinion on the proposed regulation on nature restoration, focusing on marine ecosystems and the fisheries sector. It supports the proposal's general approach and proposes results-based targets: restoring at least 30% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050, with higher means-based targets. It asks for cooperation between member states in preparing national restoration plans, a 12-month deadline for joint recommendations, and use of the urgency procedure if measures are blocked. It wants the list of species whose habitat needs restoration extended to include critically endangered, endangered and commercial species. It calls for stronger stakeholder consultation and transparency, and more frequent updating of national restoration plans. The committee calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to propose rejection of the Commission proposal.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries supports the proposal's general approach but calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to propose rejection of the Commission proposal. It proposes results-based restoration targets, cooperation between member states, a 12-month deadline for joint recommendations, use of the urgency procedure, an extended species list, and stronger transparency and stakeholder consultation.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur supports the proposal's general approach and focuses on Article 5 on marine ecosystems, leaving aside Articles 4 and 6 to 10 on other ecosystems.
  2. The rapporteur proposes results-based targets of restoring at least 30% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050, and higher means-based targets.
  3. Because marine ecosystems are transnational and the EU has exclusive competence over marine biological resources, member states should cooperate in preparing national restoration plans.
  4. Member states should be able to submit joint recommendations together with their draft restoration plan, and within 12 months after the final plan is adopted if not already submitted.
  5. If a member state blocks a conservation measure, the Commission should be able to use the urgency procedure under the Common Fisheries Policy basic regulation.
  6. The list of species whose habitat needs restoration in Annex 3 should be extended to include critically endangered and endangered species under IUCN categories, and commercial species.
  7. Provisions on stakeholder consultation and transparency should be strengthened, and national restoration plans updated more frequently.
  8. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to propose rejection of the Commission proposal.

Who is affected

  • Member states, which must prepare national restoration plans and cooperate on marine measures.
  • The fisheries sector, which depends on healthy marine ecosystems and may benefit from spatial protection measures.
  • Local communities and fishers, whose commitment is needed for successful restoration.

Figures and deadlines

  • At least 15% of degraded ecosystems to be restored by 2020 under the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.
  • Restoring at least 30% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030.
  • Restoring at least 60% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2040.
  • Restoring at least 90% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2050.
  • A deadline of 12 months for member states to submit joint recommendations after the final restoration plan is adopted.
  • Around 20 species listed in Annex 3 whose habitat needs restoration.