The European Parliament recently adopted a Motion for a resolution on the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)and follow up. The ETF welcomes this text and its call for a review of the CFP with the objective of striking a balance between the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainability and for a framework that enable proportionate and effective fisheries management measures, without leaving the fishers behind. We cannot talk about the future of European fisheries without talking about the people who work at sea.
What works for the workers: safety and capacity limits
For years, the ETF has argued that the current fishing capacity rules (Gross Tonnage and engine power) do not incentivize vessel owners who want to improve living areas and safety for their crew. Under the current rules, adding space for better cabins, proper toilets, sanitary facilities or safer decks is counted as "fishing capacity". The EU fleet needs to offer better and safer working conditions on board to improve the situation of the workers and attract young generations: the gross tonnage limitation needs to be reviewed to exclude “social” tonnage from the calculation. The ETF is pleased to see that the see that Paragraph 5 of the resolution explicitly calls on the European Commission to revise the fishing-capacity framework and supports accommodating investments for "social and safety-related tonnage" without increasing catching capacity. This would be a crucial step forward. Better living conditions and safety are basic rights, not tools to catch more fish.
Bureaucratic nightmare and landing obligation
We also join the European Parliament in asking for rationalization of the administrative burden that currently his on the shoulder of fishers. The number of rules, reports and papers that the fisheries sector face is substantial and unjustified. In particular for small scale fisheries, it becomes excessive and disproportionate and eventually it becomes a factor that contributes in keeping young generations far from fisheries.
The landing obligation proved to be a measure that has been decided to be introduced without taking into account the reality of the sector and also the social impact on fishers, for example in terms of working hours, fishing trips and revenue.
The ETF welcomes the call of the European Parliament to address these matters seriously, in a way that make fisheries more attractive and operational.
A level playing field with third countries: a must for European fisheries
On a number of occasions, the ETF has underlined the need to have a level playing field between the products of European fisheries and products imported from third countries. We already import more than 70% of the seafood products consumed in the EU and we do not want to end up in a situation where we import even more from countries that respect lower environmental and social standards. The sustainability criteria are equally important for EU and imported products: they both end up on the tables of EU citizens. That is why we are happy to read in the resolution of the European Parliament support for a stronger level playing field and more solid labelling, which are fundamental not only to defend the EU fisheries and its jobs, but also to promote sustainable fisheries worldwide.
Next steps for the ETF
The ETF, together with our national affiliates, will keep fighting for a CFP that develops a true social dimension of sustainability protecting employment and guaranteeing fair pay and safe conditions.
We urge the European Commission to take the Parliament's good suggestions in the framework of the upcoming initiative. More importantly, we stress that any upcoming proposal on the CFP must explicitly include a strong social dimension with clear social targets and urgent measures to address the generational renewal.
