In the aftermath of the historic agreement reached at COP15 in Montreal on a new global biodiversity framework, this action plan shows that the EU puts words into action. The action plan contributes to delivering on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its commitment to legally and effectively protect 30% of our seas, with one third being strictly protected.
Objectives
- contribute to getting and keeping fish stocks to sustainable levels
- reduce the impact of fishing on the seabed
- minimise fisheries impacts on sensitive species
Actions
- phase out mobile bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030
- increase selectivity
- protect sensitive species
- support the fisheries sector in the transition by maximising the use of available funds
- strengthen the knowledge base, research and innovation
- improve implementation, monitoring and enforcement
- improve governance, stakeholder involvement and outreach
Timeline
- Spring 2023
The Commission will provide the Member States with a template and guidance to facilitate the preparation of national roadmaps outlining the measures envisaged by Member States to implement this action plan.
- Autumn 2023
The Commission will call the first meeting of a new joint special group gathering Member States’ fisheries and environmental authorities, to support them in preparing their national roadmaps and to follow up on implementation
- End of March 2024
Member States will submit roadmaps to the Commission and make them public.
- 2024
The Commission will adopt its second report on the Technical Measures Regulation. This will feed into the mid-term review of the Biodiversity Strategy, also due in the first half of 2024, which will assess progress in implementing this action plan.