Fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean in 2025: a disproportionate proposal that would have devastating socioeconomic consequences in the region

Subject: Fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean in 2025: a disproportionate proposal that would have devastating socioeconomic consequences in the region

The Commission’s proposal to reduce fishing days for the Mediterranean for 2025, including a reduction of the trawling fleet by 79 %, raises serious concerns about its socio-economic impact and scientific foundation. The outdated data underpinning this proposal fails to account for the sector’s significant efforts, including a 40 % reduction in fishing efforts and improved selectivity measures in recent years. Moreover, no socio-economic impact assessment has been carried out to evaluate the potential repercussions for coastal communities, contrary to the principles of the common fisheries policy and to the compromise made in the mission letter with regard to social sustainability and the viability of the fishing sector.

In this context:

1. How does the Commission justify the lack of updated scientific assessment reflecting the current state of Mediterranean fish stocks?

2. Will the Commission withdraw the proposal until a thorough socio-economic impact analysis is conducted, ensuring a balanced approach that safeguards the economic and social viability of the Mediterranean fishing sector?

3. Does the Commission plan to work with the sector to develop alternative measures based on co-management and increased selectivity to achieve biological sustainability without jeopardising the livelihood of Mediterranean fishing communities?

Submitted: 5.12.2024

Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission

(21 January 2025)

The Commission proposal for the 2025 fishing opportunities under the Western Mediterranean management plan (1) (MAP) was based on the best available scientific advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (2) (STECF). The advice provided takes all available data into account.

The STECF assessment showed that several of the stocks concerned by the MAP are outside of safe biological limits and it advised drastic catch reductions for the stocks to recover.

The STECF provided detailed socioeconomic analyses showing that ambitious management measures will rapidly pay off with healthier stocks and increased sector profitability.

These analyses also showed that improvement of the state of the stocks will benefit the local communities. In preparing its proposal for the 2025 fishing opportunities, the Commission has followed the legal provisions set out under the MAP, adopted in 2019 by the European Parliament and the Council.

The Commission has worked with all stakeholders to implement gradually the MAP since its adoption. In 2024, the Commission held extensive discussions with Member States and the Mediterranean Advisory Council.

For 2025, the Commission proposed a fishing effort reduction for trawlers in line with the scientific advice and designed a compensation mechanism to support vessels committing to more sustainable practices.

The Council decided to keep the reduction proposed by the Commission, while expanding the compensation mechanism that, if applied, will provide considerable extra fishing days.

The Commission will continue to work with all stakeholders for the application of such mechanism, for which European funding is available.

1 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting

demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014. OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 1-17. 2 ∙ ⸱ STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-10 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/tors_ewg_24-10) and STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-12 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/ewg_24-12_tor_westmed_fisheries-management).