On Tuesday 9 May, the European Parliament adopted in plenary session MEP Clara Aguilera‘s report on the co-management of fisheries, which recognises the recreational fisheries sector’s importance for coastal communities and the need to include this sector in fisheries management.
Co-management of fisheries is an approach
which consists of involving users of public resources, i.e. fish stocks,
and thus local communities in the management decisions. In such
settings, local communities and government share the responsibility for fisheries
management and fish stock protection.
The report of MEP Clara Aguilera encourages
the implementation of co-management systems to help achieve the Common
Fisheries Policy (CFP) goals and the EU’s nature conservation and restauration
objectives.
As users of the sea and belonging to
local communities, anglers have rightfully their place in the co-management
systems, bringing their experiences and their observations to the
decision-making process. The report acknowledges the socio-economic importance
of the recreational fisheries sector for coastal communities. It is recalled
that the sector 100 000 jobs across Europe and contributing to the
economy up to 10.5 billion euros every year, only counting its marine
segment, and its calls for its inclusion in co-management systems.
Going further, the European Parliament
notes that “implementing co-management in the CFP is also an opportunity for
a better recognition and management of recreational fisheries in this policy”.
The European Anglers Alliance (EAA) welcomes
this report. This holistic approach will benefit a
great number of people and the environment. EAA also hopes that this approach
to fisheries management indeed translates into a better recognition of the
recreational fishing sector in the CFP in general.
Access the full report: click here