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Oceans and fisheries
News announcement23 September 2021Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

Sustainable fisheries: Commission publishes first report on the implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation

Red fishing net © Evannovostro/Shutterstock.com
Red fishing net © Evannovostro/Shutterstock.com

Today, the Commission published the first report on the implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation (TMR), which sets out the conservation measures governing how, where and when fishing may take place. The report shows that the regulation provides the framework needed for the full implementation of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and contributes to the EU environmental legislation, but has also identified some shortcomings.  

The report provides a good insight on the state of play and effectiveness of the measures currently in place. It provides an insight into the positive contribution of the regionalised approach, which allows to adjust the relevant measures to the specific regional context. Furthermore, two years after the entry into force of the regulation, some Member States have already started to develop additional fisheries measures to protect sensitive species and habitats at both the national and regional levels. However, the report also found that further action and more decisive steps are needed if the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 are to be met.

As announced in the strategy, the Commission will complement the current report with an “Action Plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems”, planned for the spring of 2022. The action plan will help to improve the implementation of the CFP and fully exploit the links between fisheries and environmental policies.

The report published today was foreseen in Article 31(1) of the TMR and  provides a first look at the implementation of the regulation.

Background

The Technical Measures Regulation entered into force in August 2019. Its goal is to contribute to the objectives of the CFP and to achieve good environmental status, as set out in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the relevant provisions of the Birds and Habitats Directives. The regulation helps to increase the fishing yield, while reducing impacts on marine ecosystems, especially through increased selectivity.

The TMR is also a results-based regulation that focuses on regionalisation. It empowers the Member States and fishers to play an active role in the creation and implementation of appropriate and effective measures that are tailored to the region.

More information

Report: Implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation (Article 31 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241) 

Commission staff working document: Implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation (Article 31 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241)

Details

Publication date
23 September 2021
Author
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries