Overview
Almost all important stocks and fisheries are managed by means of multiannual plans, which contain goals for fish stock management. Some plans
- contain a detailed and tailor-made roadmap for achieving objectives (e.g. MSY)
- include fishing effort restrictions
- contain specific control rules and technical measures
Multiannual plans also contain measures for implementing the landing obligation, safeguards for remedial action and review clauses.
Regionalisation
Regionalisation allows EU countries to submit, through joint recommendations, detailed measures under specific management instruments.
The common fisheries policy (CFP) foresees regionalisation for a number of instruments
- multiannual plans
- discard plans
- establishment of fish stock recovery areas
- conservation measures for compliance with EU environmental laws
- technical measures
In order to ensure that joint recommendations reflect the stakeholders’ views, EU countries first consult the relevant Advisory Councils.
Law
Regulations establishing multiannual plans
Cod, herring and sprat stocks in the Baltic Sea
Demersal stocks in the North Sea
Demersal stocks in western Mediterranean Sea
Stocks fished in western waters
Other legislation
Regulation: establishing specific conditions for fishing in the north-east Atlantic
Regulation: conservation of fish stocks in non-sustainable fishing
Regulation: establishing measures for the recovery of European eel
Regulation: multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean
News
For the first time, the EU publishes statistics of total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing days at sea or fishing effort. TACs and fishing days are the two main management measures the EU uses under the common fisheries policy to achieve sustainable fisheries.
Today, the European Commission opened a public consultation to gather evidence, insights, concerns, ideas, and feedback on the effectiveness of the common fisheries policy (CFP) regulation from a range of stakeholders, including individuals, the fisheries and maritime sectors, scientists,
The Commission will host a week-long event to address the pressing issues facing the world's ocean. From 3 to 7 March 2025, the European Ocean Days will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from various fields to discuss sustainable blue economy, fisheries science, and innovative