Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

Date:

03.12.08 06:30 PM

Location:

Brussels

Speaker:

Gert Lindemann

Check against delivery!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Introduction and thanks

I would like to offer you a warm welcome to this traditional fish reception and am pleased that so many of you have come.

It’s my impression that this year we’ve been able to appeal to even more colleagues from

• the European Parliament,
• the Commission,
• the Council Secretariat and
• from our neighbouring and partner countries

with this reception. I am tempted to see this as a sign of your special sympathy for the Land of Lower Saxony, where I myself come from. I’d like to first especially thank the Representation of the Land of Lower Saxony, Mr. Freericks and his co-workers. They have made it possible for us to carry out our discussion on fisheries policy today in these lovely surroundings.

I would also like to extend my thanks to our colleagues at the Permanent Representation of Germany, who have – as always – prepared this event with so much personal commitment.

Yet, what would this evening be without the specialities of the German fisheries sector? Deutsche See has once again spared no expense or effort to indulge us with the fruits of Neptune’s realm. Thank you very much, Dr. Dill.

Yet, before we partake in these fruits, I’d like to first offer you a few "appetizers" for our subsequent talks in smaller groups.

2. Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

We just successfully concluded the "Health Check" in agricultural policy. Now, it is time for us to do the same for the fisheries policy.

I would like to expressly thank you, Commissioner Borg, and the French presidency, for initiating this debate so soon. This enables everyone involved to bring forward their concerns in a broad debate process. And, from my point of view, this debate is urgently necessary.

Late last year, the European Court of Auditors unequivocally pointed out to us that we cannot simply "sit out" the shortcomings of the present Common Fisheries Policy.

In view of the precarious situation in the populations of important commercial fish, public criticism is also becoming louder. Hence, an honest analysis cannot begin early enough.

Based on this analysis, we must then decide what further reform steps are needed to lead the Common Fisheries Policy to success.

For Germany, it is entirely clear that the objective of sustainability must be given the highest priority. We have already anchored this objective with the 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. This applies, too, to the ecosystem approach and to the precautionary approach, which must be the central guiding principles for any action we take.

We have already taken the right course in important areas. These include in particular

• the introduction of management and stock recovery plans,
• the set up of the regional advisory boards and
• the measures controlling illegal fishing.

For this reason, our first priority must now be to clearly cite the causes of the deficiencies in implementation of the measures of the Common Fisheries Policy. Our task is to target these deficiencies and eliminate them. From my perspective, two points are of decisive significance for this:

• First: The realignment of fisheries control system must make a decisive contribution to improve enforcement of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, because deficiencies in this area are among the chief causes for overfishing in EU waters.
  We must close the loopholes by means of efficient monitoring and control. In addition we need – similarly to the Regulation on combating illegal fishing - EU-wide deterrent sanctions. The proposal submitted by the Commission in mid-November on reforming fisheries control system is a very good foundation for this.
• Second: I share your opinion, Commissioner Borg, that we must urgently cut back the existing surplus capacities of some fleets. Overlarge fleets bear the risk of favouring misconduct. Once the fishing capacities and the catch potentials have been balanced out, a chief incentive for overfishing the stocks will have been eliminated.

Eliminating enforcement deficiencies is one thing, forward-looking measures is another. Here, there are areas where we cannot wait for the reform decisions, but must proceed far more quickly.

The difficult negotiations with Norway this year show very clearly where we have to focus our efforts in the nearest future.

Here, I am thinking primarily of a phased introduction of discard bans and compulsory landings. Action must be taken urgently here, for our policies in this area up to now, which assume practically inexhaustible fish stocks, are no longer viable.

We cannot convey this policy either to our partner countries, with which we conclude fishing agreements, or to the public. Catch discards, which in some years are nearly as high in number as the set allowable catches, must finally be made a thing of the past. Time is of the essence! We cannot wait for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The German fishing industry has declared its willingness to test this new approach with a pilot project on the North Sea. The project, which was carried out this year in close cooperation between the fisheries sector and our fishing research facilities, demonstrates very positive and encouraging results. We therefore want to supplement this project with another more ambitious second project on the Baltic Sea.

Another important action that we must begin as soon as possible is the creation of multiannual management plans for other fisheries. Experience from the existing management plans show that they

• offer all those involved better planning reliability,
• ensure sustainable exploitation and
• exceedingly relieve the annual negotiations on total allowable catches.

In this context, we also ought to examine which fisheries are suited for the setting of multiannual total allowable catches and where joint management plans are advisable for a number of fish species.

It has already become apparent that - from the Commission’s point of view - the reform debate should also put basic pillars of the Common Fisheries Policy to test. I would like to say the following in this regard:

• First: With regard to a possible shift of the distribution of competencies between the Council and the Commission, we must proceed with great caution. To illustrate this using a current example: I think it is very important that decisions concerning important fishery measures having extensive effects on the fishing industry should continue to be made by the Council in future. This applies in particular to fishery management measures in NATURA-2000 protection zones.
• Second: We may not shake the principle of relative stability. Germany is of the opinion that relative stability is also meaningful and justified in the 21st century.
• Third: The system of national quotas has proven itself from the German point of view. This system is best for ensuring that the Member States’ joint responsibility for sustainable fishery is preserved and that coastal fishing has reliable future prospects.

To prevent any misunderstandings: By no means does Germany wish to shut itself off from the reform discussions.

On the contrary: we support a progressive approach not only for the catch discard problem. We are also open to involving the fishery enterprises to a greater extent in an active share of the responsibility when it is a matter of safeguarding sustainable fishing.

We are also open to giving greater consideration to regional particularities as long as the application of common standards is ensured. For greater regionalization also opens up the possibility of simplifying the Common Fisheries Policy.

3. Conclusion

Allow me to summarize: Germany is committed to the objective of making the Common Fisheries Policy successful. We expressly advocate the sustainability principle and demand rapid decisions concerning the catch discard problem.

We are open to new instruments as long as the principle of relative stability is preserved and the catch quotas on the national level are maintained.

I think that these explanations are sufficient as "appetizers" for our ensuing relaxed discussion. I hope you have

• interesting conversations
• a pleasant evening here at the Representation of the Land of Lower Saxony and
• pleasure with no regrets from the excellent fish dishes and good wine.

Thank you!