The European Commission published its Communication “Towards more sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2023” giving an annual review of EU’s fisheries management and outlining priorities ahead for 2023.

As stated by the EC, ‘The figures, as assessed by independent scientific agencies, show that conservation efforts are further bearing fruit and the EU fisheries policy has been delivering in reducing overfishing in European waters. At the same time, further efforts are still needed to protect marine resources, both through maintaining high levels of ambition within the EU and by striving to achieve the same high standard in the work with non-EU countries, like Norway, UK and the Coastal States.

The stocks in northeast Atlantic areas are, on average, within levels that deliver the highest sustainable yields into the future (called ‘maximum sustainable yield’, or MSY). For the Mediterranean, the situation has further improved but there is still a long way to go. In the Baltic Sea, due to eutrophication, low oxygen levels in the water are hindering the normal growth and reproduction of fish and protective measures have been put in place.’

Setting priorities for 2023 – The Commission set out its agenda for the next year:

• Better management of fisheries in the Mediterranean basin, building on achievements in the Western Mediterranean and in the Adriatic Sea;
• Proper implementation of the landing obligation;
• Better data from surveys to improve the science advice and economic analyses;
• More actions to protect the marine ecosystems.

Next steps

Member states, Advisory Councils, the fishing industry, non-governmental organisations and interested citizens will be invited to take part in a public consultation between June and the end of August and to express their views on the fishing opportunities for 2023. After the consultation, the Commission will table its proposals for Fishing Opportunities Regulations for 2023 in the Atlantic, the North and Baltic Seas, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

For more information

Further information can be found on the European Commission website here.