The study by the Institute for European Environmental Policy for the RSPB recommends that boats which best meet a new set of environmental, social and economic criteria should receive a ‘quota bonus’.
The reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requires Member States to change the way they allocate ‘fishing opportunities’, namely quota, and how many days a boat is allowed to fish for it.
Until now, UK fishermen have been given permission to fish based on ‘historic catch records’. The new legislation states that those boats which bring social and economic benefits to local communities, without damaging the marine environment, should have more opportunities to fish than others.
UK Governments must now decide exactly how to meet with this requirement to reward the fishermen with a greater focus on sustainability.
Following interviews with the fishing industry and Governments, the report recommends ways in which the environmental benefits of the current system of quota allocation can be preserved while doing more to encourage environmentally friendly fishing.
Euan Dunn, Principal Marine Advisor said: “The way we dish out fishing opportunities must change if our Governments are to comply with the new laws to reward and encourage environmentally friendly fishing which benefits local communities.
“Next year will see huge changes in fisheries management, with effective Marine Protected Areas, the introduction of the Discard Ban and new targets for sustainable fishing. Allocating quota based on historic records alone is no way to manage modern fisheries.”
Courtesy of ClickGreen