Conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing

Key points

The EESC:

• supports the Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 to prevent non-sustainable fishing practices and protect EU fishing interests;
• calls for an expanded scope to include Mediterranean and international waters, tackling non-sustainable practices globally;
• urges the Council and European Parliament to expedite adoption of the proposal, increasing transparency and ensuring non-EU countries understand the circumstances for potential EU penalties;
• endorses reinforced EU tools to impose restrictive measures, including import bans, globally and in line with WTO guidelines, promoting responsible fishing practices and fair treatment of all fleets;
• advocates for fair competition, linking efforts to combat overfishing with measures under the Regulation on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing;
• calls on the EU to enhance cooperation with countries exploiting straddling and highly migratory fish stocks bilaterally or via regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), in line with UNCLOS and related agreements;
• highlights the need to address aggressive actions by certain non-EU countries, such as Norway, and recommends strategic alliances with countries like Iceland to ensure stable seafood supply and strengthen the EU’s position in the Northeast Atlantic;
• criticizes the limited use of the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism to pressure non-EU coastal states, such as Norway, to comply with international fisheries management standards, calling for market access conditions and enforcement measures;
• urges immediate action under the revised Regulation to address Norway’s unfair practices, particularly concerning mackerel and cod in the Northwest Atlantic;
• calls for inclusiveness and transparency in negotiations with coastal states, ensuring active stakeholder participation in fisheries management and penalties;
• recommends amending Article 6(1) to require immediate notification of relevant advisory councils when a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing.