European Parliament votes for a sustainable future for Baltic Sea fisheries.

Press Release Date: March 31, 2015

Location: Madrid

Contact:

Marta Madina | email: mmadina@oceana.org | tel.: Marta Madina

Today, the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament voted in Brussels on a multiannual management plan (MAP) for fisheries in the Baltic Sea, the first MAP under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The plan addresses the long-term management of the major commercial stocks of cod, sprat and herring, and also provides measures for some species of flatfish. The final decision of the European Parliament on the report on the Baltic MAP, by MEP Walesa, will be taken in a plenary vote by the end of April.

“Our decision makers are bound by law to urgently rebuild European fisheries. The plan for the Baltic proposed by the European Commission was not complete, but the MEPs have succeeded in improving it. Now it’s up to the Council – 28 EU ministers responsible for fisheries must make sure that the Baltic plan delivers the CFP objectives and is fully in line with the most recent scientific advice, as well as EU environmental legislation, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,” said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe. “There’s no more time to waste, multiannual plans can and must deliver more fish in the sea and more jobs in the fishing industry as well as better protection for the environment.”

Oceana’s Comments on the Commission proposal on a multi-annual fisheries management plan for cod, sprat and herring in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks

European Parliament to decide tomorrow on new multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea (30 3 2015)