At this week's third meeting on the implementation of the EU action plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems, the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA) called for, "a more realistic and science-driven approach to marine protection—one that secures both environmental progress and the future of the European fishing sector."
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, EBFA Chair Iván Lopez emphasised that the current political mandate offers a chance to rethink policy direction in light of the newly launched EU Ocean Pact, the UNOC3 Declaration and other interconnected initiatives.
"Our sector has already undergone a profound transformation," said Mr Lopez. "The fleet has decreased by 30 per cent since the year 2000. Combined with the adoption of new technologies and mitigation measures, this has led to a significant reduction in our environmental footprint.
"Yet, how much of this progress has been truly acknowledged in EU environmental policies? Especially considering that, according to UNCTAD, emissions from our sector have dropped by 52 per cent since 1990."
The alliance endorsed the EU Ocean Pact’s vision of tailored management plans for each marine protected area (MPA) involving fishers to identify compatible fishing methods based on local ecological needs.
"This is particularly relevant since countries like Greece have been recently praised for banning bottom trawling in MPAs," Mr Lopez continued. "However, the commission is now urging Greece to comply with a 2020 Court of Justice ruling for failing to establish conservation objectives and measures for 239 special areas of conservation under the habitats Directive.
"This contradiction highlights a fundamental issue: there are no quick fixes."
Mr Lopez said that what is needed are evidence-based, site-specific management plans, "not emotionally driven announcements designed for social media."
The EBFA called for an environmental protection strategy that focuses more on science and innovation than on eliminating fishing activity, which the alliance said, "is sadly occurring in Europe."
The alliance recommended to also increase associated funding to find new technologies, adapt new gear and renovate the fleet.
The EBFA identified what it said are serious policy gaps still present in the EU action plan:
The EBFA said food security and self-sufficiency remain overlooked, despite repeated calls from both the EU council and the parliament and the new political mandate.
The sector’s contribution to the energy transition is at risk, as policies threatening bottom fishing undermine private investment and banking confidence.
The EBFA called for improved high-resolution mapping of trawling footprints and the establishment of gear-based buffer zones to help reduce socio-economic impact of area closures.
The alliance also identified lack of recognition of other effective area-based conservation measures, which are acknowledged under international biodiversity and high seas agreements as equal in status to MPAs.
The alliance highlighted inconsistencies in the Nature Restoration Law, which grants derogations to industrial offshore energy projects while placing full restrictions on fishers and farmers.
"How can we accept different rules for 'blue' economies under the same horizontal environmental legislation?" asked Mr Lopez. "This undermines confidence and fairness."
The EBFA has emphasised that it is commitment to working with the European Commission and member states, "to achieve shared goals of healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities." In return, the alliance is calling for balanced policies that do not pre-emptively ban specific fishing gear.
The EBFA said many demersal fisheries are already certified under rigorous independent sustainability standards, which comprehensively assess both stock health and ecosystem impacts. The alliance concluded by saying trade-offs must be properly assessed to ensure future benefits translate into present-day gains.