In the upcoming EU Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers meeting on the
11th and 12th of December, Member States will decide on the EU fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks for 2023. In the proposal currently on the table, one particular provision could have dire consequences for the entire eel fishery sector. All key representative organisations, Copa-Cogeca, Europêche and FEAP, together with a group of 18 MEPs are calling on Memb er States to pay attention to the preservation of this traditional and sustainable fishery.
In its October proposal for fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish, the European Commission seeks a closure period of six consecutive months for eel fishing activities. The extension of the closure period from three to six would de-facto rule out the measures implemented up until now for eel management under the dedicated EU eel regulation. In an already difficult context, a possible extension of the ban on fishing eels would undoubtedly destroy a centennial cultural activity.
The activity of fishing eels is deeply rooted in the social and cultural heritage of several area across Europe, along rivers and coastlines. Around the activity of eels, there are not only farmers and fishermen, but also cultural ev ents, research, repopulation activ ities and sustainable tourism…
The full closure of eel related activities won’t improve the situation as it won’t respond to some of the key factors impacting populations such as illegal, unregulated, and unreported eel fishing, the management of cormorants or the facilitation of the natural migration of eels up rivers and the reduction of mortalities caused by hydroelectricity production, pollution, and other indirect anthropic activities.
On the contrary, the need to intensify research efforts on eel biology, its interactions with the environment, and eel reproduction in captivity is usually done in close collaboration with local eel farmers and fishermen that are also involved in repopulation programs.
Copa-Cogeca, Europêche and FEAP welcome the strong message from the 18 Members of the European Parliament sent to the European Commissioner Sinkev ičius. MEPs stressed that, “Such a measure is totally disproportionate and may lead to the complete decline of this fishing industry, which is mainly artisanal.” Member States should therefore be careful and respect all fisheries and remov e this further prolongation of the ban which could ultimately hav e the opposite effect to that intended.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.