EESC Opinion: Multi-annual plan/cod stocks in the Baltic Sea

Key points

The EESC is very pleased with the success of the plan for the Baltic cod stocks and feels that it is important that the plan be extended.

The EESC believes that the proposed amendments to Articles 4, 5 and 8 and to Article 29(2), (3) and (4) are acceptable and necessary technical changes to comply with the TFEU.

The EESC is not in favour of delegating legislative power to the Commission to determine fishing mortality rates, as proposed in Articles 27 and 29 a. The EESC considers that it is the privilege of the Council to take decisions in this area under Article 43(3) TFEU. The EESC fears that if the Commission is delegated the power to change the target fishing mortality rate, on which basis catch quotas are determined, this could in the short term lead to a rapid change in catch quotas that would be damaging to the fishing industry.