In a response letter to a joint call by 16 civil society organisations for an Inclusive Oceans Strategy, the European Commission says they are “fully aware” of the value of Small-scale Fisheries
The Acting Director of DG MARE, Mr. Bernhard Friess, stated that the Commission is “fully aware of the importance of Small-Scale Fisheries in the EU” in response to the joint letter sent to Virginius Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries on the occasion of the World Fisheries Day on 21 November 2019. The call, made by 16 European and African civil society organisations (professional small-scale fisheries organisations, development and environmental NGOs), asked to secure sustainable fisheries and prosperous fishing communities in Europe and in partner developing countries through an inclusive oceans strategy that recognised the central role of fisheries.
The call criticized the priorities of the new Commission as they marginalized fisheries in its “non-inclusive blue growth approach”. In reply, Mr. Friess insisted that the Commission addresses the development of small scale-scale fisheries through the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and supports it through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). For example,” if an EU country has a small-scale fleet of at least 1,000 vessels, it has to have an explicit action plan targeting that fleet,” which, he explained, is the case for 12 Member States. Moreover, “article 63 of the EMFF regulation, also supports Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) in local fisheries and aquaculture areas”. The EMFF regulation also recognises the relevance of ‘blue growth’ initiatives to foster growth and jobs in such areas.
However, for Brian O’Riordan, Executive Secretary of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE),
“Whilst the EMFF has special provisions for small scale fisheries, and the national action plans create an important political space for issues that need to be addressed, if the Commission does not incorporate small-scale fisheries into the Blue Growth agenda, the marginalisation of this important sector in the maritime economy will increase.”
In reaction to the civil-society organisations concern on the Commission’s assessments on growth almost exclusively through GVA, DG MARE’s acting director acknowledged that while it is the “indicator that best reflects the economic contribution […], it is incomplete”. He reassured that the Commission is already taking into account natural capital and ecosystem services and will further develop this approach in 2020.
Regarding the relations between the EU and Africa, Mr Friess further asserted that small-scale fisheries in African countries are “the main component of the blue economy, both in terms of jobs and poverty reduction” and noted that all the “blue economy” projects that the EC supported in Africa have focused on fisheries and aquaculture, as “any diversification of the African economy should fully build on” these traditional sectors.
Gaoussou Gueye, President of CAOPA, welcomed this commitment, and stated he hopes
“the future partnership between the EU and Africa will fully recognise the role of men and women active in African artisanal fisheries and aquaculture sectors in providing sustainable jobs, enhancing food security, and tackling climate change by improving the resilience of coastal communities.”
More information:
Read the Call to the European Commission: An Inclusive Oceans Strategy is Needed to Secure Sustainable Fishing Communities, 21 November 2019.
Response by Mr. Bernhard Friess, Acting Director of DG MARE, 22 January 2020.
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