The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament has voted yesterday on the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) that will cover the budgetary period 2021-2027. Europêche appreciates the strong stand of the Parliament against the 5% budgetary cut proposed by the European Commission to compensate for the upcoming Brexit gap in the EU budget. The Parliament has called instead for a 10% budget increase (total envelope of €7.74 billion in current prices) compared to the Commission’s proposal to face the many upcoming challenges for the sector. Furthermore, Europêche welcomes the efforts made by the Committee to deliver their position on the new fund before the end of the current legislative term to avoid any delays as well as their focus on the socio-economic sustainability of the fishing fleet.

The European fisheries sector recognises the work of CITES concerning marine species to ensure that the international trade does not threaten their survival. However, it is important to respect the work and instruments already defined and implemented for this purpose by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO), Governments and the sector itself. Species such as mako shark are sufficiently protected and regulated so as to guarantee its sustainable exploitation and legal trade, rendering unnecessary additional CITES measures. This was highlighted by the president of Europêche, Javier Garat, during his speech at the commemoration of the World Wildlife Day 2019, which took place today at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva.

In light of the upcoming European Parliament elections in May 2019, the fishing industry represented by Europêche reminds the political groups of the importance of the sector in Europe that brings about numerous benefits for the coastal and rural economies. The EU fishing sector is not only a major source of food to secure the livelihoods of millions of European citizens but also an engine for sustainable growth. Fisheries, as an EU exclusive policy, demands people with a lofty sense of responsibility, technical competence and expertise to take sound decisions based on the best available science. Political groups have therefore the duty to select and nominate fit-for-purpose candidates when assembling the EU electoral lists.