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COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

Tuesday, 25 May 2021, 9.00 – 12.00, 13.45 – 16.15 & 16.45 – 18.45

ANTALL 6Q1 & VISIOCONFERENCE

(Brussels time)

►Vote on the draft report „The impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems“

►Exchange with Commissioner Sinkevicius on the state of play in the implementation of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement and EU/UK TAC negotiations

►Hearing with Dr Susan Steele, appointed Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA)

►Exchange of views with the Commission on IUU fishing and non-cooperating countries

►Presentation by the Commission of the new Strategic Guidelines on Aquaculture

Words from the Chair page 2 On-going dossiers page 3 Studies & briefing notes page 6 Fisheries news page 8 AC meetings page 14 International meetings page 15 Partnership agreements page 16 Committee on Fisheries page 19 Calendar of PECH meetings page 20

Next meetings of the Committee on Fisheries:

16 & 17 June 2021

28 June 2021

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© European Union (2019) European Parliament

Pierre KARLESKIND Chair of Committee on Fisheries

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Friends,

Two important votes figure on the agenda of our meetings in May: the legislative report on the establishment of a "Brexit Adjustment Reserve" (BAR) and the INI report on the impact of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems on the fishing sector.

Concerning the BAR, we are fully committed to mitigate the economic impact of the UK withdrawal for fishers and stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector most affected by Brexit. The Reserve is an important tool to provide this support, but the repartition key has to be transparent and fair and funds must reach the recipients quickly, with as little bureaucracy as possible. Member States paying out the funds have the obligation to respect the principles of sound financial management and non-discrimination. The calendar to adopt this piece of legislation was very tight and PECH Committee managed to adopt its report quickly, while ensuring a very thorough assessment of the Commission proposal. Being associated under Rule 57, we will also participate in the final negotiating phase with Council, along with REGI and BUDG Committees, in order for the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to become reality before the summer.

On the INI report: most of us will agree on the need of alternative energy systems to reach the EU Green Deal objectives, however, the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore renewables have an impact on the seabed, the marine life and fishing operations – in particular small-scale fisheries - which must not be under-estimated. The report focuses exactly on this problem: how to find solutions for the coexistence between the two sectors and calling for a level-playing field and a timely and full participation of fisheries organisations in decisions on maritime spatial planning.

Finally, we look forward to the exchange with Dr Susan Steele, recently appointed as new Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency. Our committee, responsible for the agency's oversight, has always had an excellent working relation with EFCA and we thank the outgoing Director Pascal Savouret for his work over the past years for an effective fisheries control system in European waters and beyond.

Pierre KARLESKIND

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COD reports Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

Laying down conservation and management measures applicable in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area COM(2021)0198 - C9-0153/2021 2021/0103(COD) PECH/9/05881

Carvalhais COD TBC TBC

Laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the IOTC Area of Competence COM(2021)0113 - C9-0095/2021 2021/0058(COD) PECH/9/05595

Mato COD 12-13/07/2021 TBC

Establishing the Brexit Adjustment Reserve COM(2020)0854 2020/0380(COD) PECH/9/05067

Bellamy

COD Rule 57

PECH/REGI & BUDG

10/05/2021

TBC

Conservation of fishery resources: catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus COM(2020)0670 - C9-0336/2020 2020/0302 (COD) PECH/9/04509

Mato COD

Rule 52 25/05/2021 JUNE

Reports adopted in PECH Awaiting Parliament's position in 1st

reading Rapporteur

Type of procedure

PECH Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation COM(2020)0215 - C9-0157/2020 2020/0095(COD) PECH/9/03131

Carvalhais COD

16/11/2020 Vote on the prov.

agreement: 25/05/2021

JUNE II

Fisheries control COM(2018)0368 - C8-0238/2018 2018/0193 (COD) PECH/9/00323

Aguilera COD

25/01/2021

01/02/2021

05/02/2021

10/03/2021

Reports adopted in EP 1st reading (awaiting 2nd reading)

Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

European Maritime Fisheries & Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

COM(2018)0390 - C8-0270/2018 2018/0210(COD) PECH/9/01216

Mato COD

Trilogue closed: 03/12/2020

Prov. agreement adopted:

22/02/2021

2nd Reading

adoption

JULY (tbc)

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Multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean COM(2019)619 - C9-0188/2019 2019/0272(COD) PECH/9/02027

Ferrandino COD Trilogue closed on

10/11/2020

1st Reading

adoption:

28/04/2021

NLE reports Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement EU-Greenland COM(2021)0072 2021/0037 (NLE) PECH/9/05416

Karleskind

NLE (with

resolution) TBC TBC

INI reports* Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Plenary Session

Vote

The impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems 2019/2158 (INI) PECH/9/01965

Van Dalen INI 25/05/2021

JUNE II

(tbc)

Challenges and opportunities for the fishing sector in the Black Sea 2019/2159 (INI) PECH/9/01967

Hristov INI 10/05/2021 JUNE

Fishers for the future: Attracting a new generation of labour to the fishing industry and generating employment in coastal communities 2019/2161 (INI) PECH/9/01969

Pizarro INI 16-17/06/2021

JULY (tbc)

Consequences for fish stocks and fisheries related to rising seawater temperatures 2019/2163 (INI) PECH/9/01972

Conte INI TBC TBC

The future of fisheries in the Channel, North Sea, Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the light of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU 2021/2016 (INI) PECH/9/05507

Pizarro INI TBC TBC

Rebuilding fish stocks in the Mediterranean Sea: assessment and next steps 2019/2178 (INI) PECH/9/01994

Stancanelli INI 16-17/06/2021 JULY (tbc)

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Opinions Rapporteur Type of

procedure PECH

Committee vote

Vote Lead

Committee

A European strategy for offshore renewable energy 2021/2012 (INI) PECH/9/05437

Chabaud INI 16-17/06/2021 15/07/2021

Budget 2022 of the European Union – Section III – Commission

Chair BUDG September (tbc) TBC

*Note on procedures:

COD: Ordinary legislative procedure; INI: Own-Initiative;

NLE: Non-legislative (consent to international agreements); DEC: Discharge; BUD: Budget

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REQUESTED:

Electronic technologies in monitoring, control and surveillance of EU fisheries - challenges

and opportunities (workshop)

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on EU fisheries and aquaculture (study)

Costs & benefits of fish stock recovery areas as tools for fisheries management and other

effective area-based conservation measures (A case study assessment)

Artificial Intelligence and the fisheries sector, including measures to improve traceability

(study)

Animal welfare of farmed fish (study)

PUBLISHED (SINCE 2016): CFP and fisheries management The impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems Implementation of the current EU fisheries control system by Member States (2014-19) Implementation and impact of the key European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) measures on the CFP The discard ban and the landing obligation in the Western- Mediterranean Sea - The Italian case The discard ban and the landing obligation in the Western- Mediterranean Sea - The Spanish case Social and Economic impact of the penalty point system Scientific Advice in Fisheries Management - Introduction to Stock Assessment and Maximum Sustainable Yield Ranges Workshop on The discard ban and its impact on the Maximum Sustainable Yield objective on fisheries The discard ban and its impact on the MSY objective - The Bay of Biscay case/The Baltic Sea/The North Sea Options of handling choke species in view of the EU landing obligation - the Baltic plaice example Landing obligation and choke species in mixed fisheries - North Sea/North-Western Waters/South-Western Waters European fisheries - latest developments and future challenges Stocks Situation of the clam (Tapes spp) fisheries sector in the EU Environmental, social and economic sustainability of the European eel management The European eel: reproductive biology, migration and sustainable management Structural Policy and economics Markets of fisheries and aquaculture products: The added value chain and the role of promotion, labelling and consumer information - Small-scale fisheries case Feasibility of measuring socio-economic and environmental impacts of recreational and semi-subsistence fisheries in the EU Seafood Industry Integration in the EU The management of the fishing fleets in the outermost regions Sustainable 'blue growth' in the EU and opportunities for small-scale fisheries Regional ocean governance in Europe: the role of fisheries “Marine Recreational and Semi-subsistence fishing - its value and its impact on fish stocks” Training of Fishers Workshop on the Implementation and Impact of EMFF Measures on the Common Fisheries Policy Seafood Industry Integration in the EU 2018 External dimension Impact of fisheries partnership agreements in the development of employment in the EU and in third countries Consequences of Brexit for the Common Fisheries Policy Legal framework for governance Trade and economic related issues Resources and fisheries

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Mission briefings Fisheries in Madeira/Japan/Guadeloupe (2017) Fisheries in Andalusia/Finland/Ireland/Vietnam (2018)

@ You can access the studies and other documents via this link

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT News - Press service

Parliament backs management plan for bluefin tuna 28/04/2021

MEPs give the green light to deal that

transposes into EU law certain provisions of

international management plan for bluefin

tuna caught in the eastern Atlantic and

Mediterranean Sea.

The text, adopted by 643 votes in favor, 11

against and 47 abstentions, demands Member

states to give “special consideration” for small-

scale and artisanal fisheries when distributing

national quotas and to “endeavour to allocate a

specific sectorial quota for small-scale coastal

vessels”. National authorities shall also

provide incentives to fishing vessels deploying

selective fishing gear or using fishing

techniques with reduced environmental

impact.

Other measures include:

- Increasing fishing capacity by up to 20 % for

purse seiners

- New sectorial quotas for small-scale vessels,

and for bait-boats in the Azores, Madeira and

the Canaries

- Increasing by-catches limits from 5 % to 20

% of the total catches

- Extending fishing season for purse seiners by

seven days (to cover the 26 May-1 July period)

- Extending fishing season in case of adverse

climate conditions

- Reinforcing monitoring and control system

Context

The proposal transposes into EU law

the Recommendation 18-02 issued by

the International Commission for the

Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in

November 2018, establishing a multiannual

management plan for bluefin tuna in the

eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. The

transposition covers all control measures that

concern the catch and farming of bluefin tuna

in EU waters and/or by EU vessels in the

Convention Area.

During the plenary debate ahead of the vote, on

Monday evening, MEPs called on the Council

to respect the outcome of trilogue negotiations

and reach an agreement to approve the

proposal.

The Parliament and the Presidency of the

Council reached a deal about the

Commission’s proposal on 10 November

2020. However, this agreement was

subsequently rejected by Coreper due to

Member States’ concerns over their exclusive

competence to allocate fishing opportunities.

Background

Like all tunas in the Atlantic, the eastern

bluefin tuna stock is managed by the ICCAT,

an intergovernmental fishery organisation

established in 1966, of which the EU has been

a contracting party since 1997.

In 2006, the ICCAT adopted restrictive

measures for bluefin tuna chatches for 2007-

2022 with the aim to avoid a possible collapse

of fishing stocks. In 2018, after verifying that

stocks have recovered, the ICCAT moved from

the recovery plan to a management plan

(Recommendation 18-02), which entered into

force in June 2019.

Next steps

Given the dissension with the Council, the

Committee on Fisheries may now decide to

reopen negotiations with the Council with the

aim to reach an agreement on second reading.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

News - Press service

European Green Deal: Commission adopts strategic guidelines for sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture 17/05/2021

The Commission adopted new strategic

guidelines for a more sustainable and

competitive EU aquaculture. The guidelines

offer a common vision for the Commission,

Member States and stakeholders to develop the

sector in a way that contributes directly to

the European Green Deal and in particular

the Farm to Fork Strategy. The guidelines will

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help the EU aquaculture sector become more

competitive and resilient, and to improve its

environmental and climate performance.

Objectives of the Guidelines

The guidelines have been prepared in close

consultation with EU Member States and

stakeholders, notably those represented in the

Aquaculture Advisory Council. They set four

inter-related objectives for the further

development of aquaculture in the Union:

building resilience and

competitiveness

participating in the green transition

ensuring social acceptance and

consumer information, and

increasing knowledge and innovation

The proposed guidelines will also support the

substantial increase in organic aquaculture at

EU level. As noted in the recently

published Organic Farming Action Plan,

organic aquaculture production remains a

relatively new sector but with a significant

potential for growth.

Unlike fisheries, aquaculture is not an area of

exclusive EU competence. Nevertheless, in

recognition of the important role aquaculture

plays in European food security, sustainable

growth and employment, the Common

Fisheries Policy foresees a system of strategic

coordination of aquaculture policy in the EU.

Such a strategic approach has become even

more relevant today, given the potential of the

aquaculture sector to contribute to achieving

the objectives of the European Green Deal, and

the need to ensure long-term sustainability and

resilience of the sector, notably in the light of

the COVID-19 crisis. The new strategic

guidelines have fully integrated those goals.

Looking at the challenges and opportunities of

the EU aquaculture sector, the guidelines

propose specific actions on a number of areas,

including access to space and water, human

and animal health, environmental

performance, climate change, animal welfare,

regulatory and administrative framework, and

communicating on EU aquaculture.

In particular, the Commission proposes to

develop detailed guidance documents

regarding good practices in the most important

areas, and foresees a dedicated Aquaculture

Assistance Mechanism to support the

development of those guidance documents, as

well as the implementation of good practices

described therein.

Among other objectives, the Commission also

encourages EU Member States to include, the

increase of organic aquaculture in the

(ongoing) review of their national strategic

plans for the aquaculture sector as well to

support this type of aquaculture production

with part of the funds available under the

European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fund (EMFAF). Read more

European Green Deal: Developing a sustainable blue economy in the European Union 17/05/2021

The European Commission is proposing a new

approach for a sustainable blue economy in the

EU for the industries and sectors related to

oceans, seas and coasts. A sustainable blue

economy is essential to achieving the

objectives of the European Green Deal and

ensuring a green and inclusive recovery from

the pandemic.

All blue economy sectors including fisheries,

aquaculture, coastal tourism, maritime

transport, port activities and shipbuilding will

have to reduce their environmental and climate

impact. Tackling the climate and biodiversity

crises requires healthy seas and a sustainable

use of their resources to create alternatives to

fossil fuels and traditional food production.

Transitioning to a sustainable blue economy

requires investing in innovative technologies.

Wave- and tidal energy, algae production,

development of innovative fishing gear or

restoration of marine ecosystems will create

new green jobs and businesses in the blue

economy.

The Communication sets out a detailed agenda

for the blue economy to:

Achieve the objectives of climate

neutrality and zero pollution notably

by developing offshore renewable

energy, by decarbonising maritime

transport and by greening ports. A

sustainable ocean energy mix including

floating wind, thermal, wave and tidal

energy could generate a quarter of the

EU's electricity in 2050. Ports are

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crucial to the connectivity and the

economy of Europe's regions and

countries and could be used as energy

hubs.

Switch to a circular economy and

reduce pollution – including through

renewed standards for fishing gear

design, for ship recycling, and for

decommissioning of offshore

platforms and action to reduce plastics

and microplastics pollution.

Preserve biodiversity and invest in

nature - protecting 30% of the EU's

sea area will reverse biodiversity loss,

increase fish stocks, contribute to

climate mitigation and resilience, and

generate significant financial and

social benefits. Environmental impacts

of fishing on marine habitats will be

further minimised.

Support climate adaptation and

coastal resilience – adaptation

activities, such as developing green

infrastructure in coastal areas and

protecting coastlines from the risk of

erosion and flooding will help preserve

biodiversity and landscapes, while

benefitting tourism and the coastal

economy.

Ensure sustainable food production -

sustainable production of and new

marketing standards for seafood, use of

algae and seagrass, stronger fisheries

control as well as research and

innovation in cell-based seafood will

help to preserve Europe's seas. With

the EU sustainable aquaculture

strategic guidelines now also adopted,

the Commission has also committed to

growing sustainable aquaculture in the

EU.

Improve management of space at

sea – the new Blue Forum for users of

the sea to coordinate a dialogue

between offshore operators,

stakeholders and scientists engaged in

fisheries, aquaculture, shipping,

tourism, renewable energy and other

activities will stimulate cooperative

exchange for the sustainable use of

marine environment. A report on the

implementation of the EU Directive on

Maritime Spatial Planning will be

issued in 2022, following the adoption

of national maritime spatial plans in

March 2021.

The Commission will also continue creating

the conditions for a sustainable blue economy

internationally following the international

ocean governance agenda. Read more

Deep-sea fisheries: Increased protection for deep-sea species 12/05/2021

The ban on bottom trawling in deep waters,

adopted by the EU in 2016, has been

effective in protecting deep-sea fish,

according to the evaluation of the Deep-sea

Access Regulation released today.

The Deep-sea Access Regulation introduced

unprecedented conservation and management

measures to protect deep-sea species and their

habitats, called vulnerable marine ecosystems

(VMEs). In line with the Biodiversity Strategy

2030, it limits the use of fishing gear most

harmful to biodiversity, including on the

seabed. Thanks to the ban on bottom trawling

below 800 meters, fish such as grenadier,

orange roughy and black scabbardfish became

less accessible to trawlers and, as a result, their

catches decreased. The evaluation carried by

the European Commission also shows a drop

in bycatches of deep-sea sharks.

The observer coverage put in place by the

regulation has helped improve scientific

knowledge of the deep-sea species, while

vessels targeting or catching deep-sea species

as by-catch are identified and controlled via a

strict authorisation scheme.

The regulation, however, has not yet been fully

implemented. In fact, the protection of VMEs

has seen little progress since 2016 due to

important data gaps leading to delays in

scientific advice, finally issued on 5 January

2021. The evaluation of the regulation

underlines the need to adopt the necessary

measures (implementing act) to set the limits

for deep-sea fishing in EU waters (i.e. fishing

footprint) and to close VME areas to all bottom

gears below 400 meter.

These conclusions are supported by a public

consultation carried out in 2020, in which 90%

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of respondents agreed that “an EU regulatory

framework is essential to ensure consistency in

the protection of the deep-sea environment by

different Member States” and 85% of

respondents strongly agreed that the “need to

prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs

and to ensure the long-term conservation of

deep-sea fish stocks” remains relevant today.

The evaluation concludes that the regulation,

with the provisions implemented so far, is fit

for purpose according to the five criteria

(relevance, effectiveness, efficiency,

coherence and EU added-value) set out by the

European Commission’s Better

Regulation screening. Based on the new

scientific advice, the European Commission

will propose a set of measures (implementing

act) to fix the fishing footprint and to close

VME areas before the end of 2021.

More information Deep-sea fisheries

2021 Seminar on Fisheries Science: Supporting fisheries with marine protected areas 27/04/2021

This year’s edition of the annual Seminar on

Fisheries Science of the European

Commission’s Directorate-General for

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG

MARE) will focus on marine protected

areas (MPAs).

Today, most marine ecosystems have suffered

changes through anthropogenic activities. The

need to protect or restore marine biodiversity

and fish stocks has led to increasing calls for

the establishment of MPAs. With a target of

protecting at least 30% of EU waters by 2030,

MPAs are an integral element of the

Biodiversity Strategy, promoting a larger EU-

wide network of protected areas with specific

fisheries-management measures.

The seminar will include an introductory

presentation about how MPAs can benefit

fisheries. The programme also includes a

presentation on a successful case study about

the Torre Guaceto MPA (Italy) in the

Mediterranean. The scientists involved will

offer insights into the outcomes, lessons learnt

and recommendations from their work.

Finally, different stakeholders will take part in

a panel discussion to explore several aspects of

MPAs and their benefits for fisheries.

The half-day event will take place virtually

on 1 June 2021 from 9:15. It will bring

together a wide range of stakeholders such as

scientists, MPA managers, fishing industry,

NGOs, and the representatives of the European

Commission, Parliament, Council and

Member States. The seminar will include a

video booth, where attendees will be able to

record their testimonials, share ideas and ask

questions about MPAs. The event will also be

live-streamed on Twitter using the dedicated

hashtag #EUFishEcon.

Seminar on Fisheries Science

REGISTRATION

Euronews OCEAN Season 3 Episode 4 - Is Blue the new Black? 27/04/2021

Fossil oil – commonly dubbed the “Black

Gold” – is quickly losing its sparkle as

countries and companies turn their back on

the sticky fuel over concerns about climate

change and environmental pollution. And it

increasingly looks like the blue economy is

ready to take over!

At the end of 2020, the European Commission

already announced its plans to turn offshore

renewables (wind, waves, tidal…) into one of

the main energy sources for the EU, dethroning

the fossil fuel sector for good. But also for the

other applications – and matching problems –

of petroleum, blue solutions are in the making.

In this episode of Ocean, we are zooming in on

EU-supported projects that help solve the

problem of plastic marine pollution caused by

derelict fishing and aquaculture gear. Every

year, around 640,000 tons of fishing

equipment are lost or abandoned in oceans and

seas. They remain there for hundreds of years

– catching and killing marine life, and

polluting the underwater environment. In

addition, the growing offshore aquaculture

sector relies on ropes made from 100% petrol-

based, non-biodegradable plastic that also

threaten marine ecosystems.

We’ll discover how the blue economy is

moving from being part of the problem to

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becoming part of the solution. Our reporter

takes us to three coastal cities in Spain where

researchers, fishers and aquaculture producers

work together finding ways to reduce the

plastic threat. The BIOGEARS project is

developing eco-friendly biodegradable ropes

for use in mussel and seaweed culture, while

the OCEANETS project develops tools to

prevent loss of fishing nets at sea, and tests a

pilot plant to recycle recovered fishing gears

into high quality polyamide yarn that can be

used for the production of sports gear.

Is Blue the new Black? See for yourselves

and tune in to Euronews from 27 April @

20:50 CET – on any platform.

OCEAN is a Euronews magazine in

collaboration with the Directorate-General for

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE).

Season 3 features monthly 8-minute videos

where we highlight fascinating projects and

developments related to the ocean and coastal

communities.

The first two seasons featured episodes on

marine protected areas, small-scale fisheries,

ocean energy, aquaculture, IUU fishing,

sustainable fisheries and more. Missed

one? Check them out on Euronews

website! You will also find some nice extras

about these topics.

Feel free to share on social media,

tagging @EU_MARE and @euronews and

using the hashtag #oceanEU.

EU and Greenland sign a new sustainable fisheries partnership agreement 22/04/2021

On 22 April 2021, the EU and Greenland

have signed a new sustainable fisheries

partnership agreement (SFPA) and

protocol that will strengthen their

cooperation in the fisheries field for the next

four years with the possibility of a two year

extension.

The agreement was reached in January and

formally signed today. It marks a new step in

the long-standing relation between the EU and

Greenland in fisheries. It reiterates and

emphasises our joint commitment to

sustainable use of marine resources. This

agreement will allow the EU fleet to continue

fishing in Greenland waters for a duration of

four to six years while continuing to contribute

to the development of the fisheries sector in

Greenland.

The fishing opportunities of the agreement are

for the same species as in the current protocol

(cod, redfish, Greenland halibut, northern

prawn, capelin and grenadier). Fishing

opportunities for mackerel have also been

included in the agreement at a 0 TAC level.

Any quota of mackerel transferred by

Greenland in the future will be dependent on

the participation of Greenland as a signatory,

with the EU, to the Coastal States Sharing

Arrangement on the management of mackerel.

The reference prices have been updated taking

into account current market prices. The total

annual financial contribution to Greenland will

be €21,600,000. A significant part of this

contribution, €2,900,000 per year, is

earmarked to promote the development of the

fisheries sector in Greenland. For the whole

duration of the protocol, the total estimated

value amounts to €130,000,000.

The new sustainable fisheries partnership

agreement signed today substantially

reinforces cooperation on monitoring, control

and surveillance of fishing activities. The

agreement is based on the principles of the

common fisheries policy such as transparency,

governance of fishing activities, non-

discrimination, respect of the scientific advice

and scientific cooperation on data collection

and analysis. It also complies with Greenland’s

legislation and the management and scientific

measures taken in the context of international

organisations.

EFCA: New Executive Director appointed 22/04/2021

An Irish national, Dr Steele has extensive

experience in fisheries management and

control. She has served as the Executive Chair

and CEO of the Sea Fisheries Protection

Authority of Ireland since 2013. Prior to that,

she was Head of Innovation at the Seafood

Development Centre and Head of Aquaculture

and Business Training of Ireland´s Seafood

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Development Board. She holds a PhD from the

National University of Ireland, as well as an

MBA, a Master’s in Education (M. Ed) and a

Bachelor’s in Marine Biology.

Dr Steele has been appointed to a five year

term. Under the supervision of the

Administrative Board, she will be responsible

for the management of the Agency.

The Administrative Board also adopted

EFCA’s 2020 Annual Report. In 2020,

EFCA’s activities included the operational

coordination of fisheries control across the EU,

assisting the Member States in improving the

culture of compliance with the common

fisheries policy (CFP), and participating in the

European cooperation on coast guard

functions. EFCA also had to adapt its business

model in light of the ongoing COVID-19

pandemic.

More information

The EFCA Administrative Board appoints the

new Executive Director and adopts the Agency

Annual Report of 2020

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Next meeting of the

Agriculture and Fisheries Council 26-27 May 2021

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*THE MEETINGS CAN BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT

AC DATE PLACE TYPE

MAC 25/05/2021 virtual WG2

MAC 26/05/2021 virtual WG3

CCRUP 26/05/2021 virtual FG3

MAC 27/05/2021 virtual WG1

NSAC 27/05/2021 virtual ExCom

SWW AC 27/05/2021 virtual ExCom

AAC 01-02/06/2021 tbc WGs

BSAC 08-09/06/2021 virtual Joint WG

NSAC 15/06/2021 virtual Skagerrak & Kattegat WG

CCRUP 18/06/2021 virtual FG2

SWW AC 29/06/2021 virtual GA

NWW AC 01/07/2021 virtual Horizontal WG

NWW AC 02/07/2021 virtual WG 4 Irish Sea, WG 3 English Channel

NWW AC 05/07/2021 virtual WG 2 Celtic Sea, WG 1 West of Scotland

PELAC 06-08/07/2021 tbc WG I, II, ExCom

NSAC 12/07/2021 virtual Demersal WG

NWW AC 13/07/2021 virtual ExCom

AAC 20/07/2021 tbc ExCom

Abbreviations:

- NWW AC: North Western Waters Advisory Council (link)

- PEL AC: Pelagic Advisory Council (link)

- NS AC: North Sea Advisory Council (link)

- MED AC: Advisory Council for the Mediterranean (link)

- SWW AC: South Western Waters Advisory Council (link)

- LD AC: Long Distance Fleet Advisory Council (link)

- BS AC: Baltic Sea Advisory Council (link)

- AAC: Aquaculture Advisory Council (link)

- MAC: Market Advisory Council (link)

- BlS AC: Black Sea Advisory Council (link)

- CC RUP: Outermost Regions Advisory Council (link)

- GA: General Assembly, ExCom: Executive Committee, WG: Working Group, FG: Focus Group

15

*THE MEETINGS CAN BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT

REGIONAL FISHERIES ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

Date Organisation Type of meeting Venue

2021

30 May-11 June Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

Annual meeting and associated meetings TBD

31 May-4 June FAO/EU Third Meeting of the Parties to the Port State Measures

Agreement Virtual

1-5 June

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization

(NASCO)

Annual meeting Edimburgh,

United Kingdom

7-10 June Inter-American Tropical Tuna

Commission (IATTC) Extraordinary meeting Virtual

9-10 June

General Fisheries Commission for the

Mediterranean (GFCM)

High-level meeting on the new strategic cycle, MedFish4Ever initatives and post-Covid response

Greece

14 -18 June UN United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative

Process on Ocean and the Law of the Sea – twenty-first meeting

New York

21 – 25 June UN Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea – thirty-first meeting New York

21-24 June Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

Intersessional meeting of the Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria (TCAC)

Virtual

1-2 July

International Commission for the

Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

(ICCAT)

Intersessional meeting of Panel 1 Tropical Tunas

Virtual

5-9 July Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries

Agreement (SIOFA) Annual meeting

Mauritius or virtual (TBC)

12-30 July

International Seabed Authority (Finance WG – Council and

Assembly)

Bi annual meeting Kingston - Jamaica

19-21 July UN UN pre-Food System Summit Roma

21 – 23 July UN 15th round of informal consultations of States Parties to

the UNFSA New York

16

*THE MEETINGS CAN BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT

COUNTRY

EXPIRATION

DATE OF

CURRENT

PROTOCOL

NEXT JOINT

COMMITTEE

MEETING (JCM) 2021

NEGOTIATIONS

SESSIONS FORECAST

2020-2021

LEGAL PROCESS

LATEST INFORMATION

(last JCM, last negotiation round, etc.)

Date Location Date Location

Estimated date

of adoption of

proposal for

negotiating

mandate by the

Commission

Estimated date

of adoption of

negotiating

mandate by

Council

Estimated

date of

adoption of

Council

Decision on

signing and

provisional

application

MIX

ED

AG

RE

EM

EN

TS

Mauritania

15 November 2021 (additional 1-year

extension)

TBC 2nd week of

April TBD /

Adopted on 8

July 2019

Six round of negotiations took place since

September 2019. During the first round, a 1-year extension of the current protocol was agreed. This

extension was signed on 13 November 2019 and

applies provisionally from 16 November 2019. EP gave its consent to the conclusion of the extension

on 13 May 2020.

During the fifth round (July 2020), another 1-year extension of the current protocol was agreed. It was

signed on 15 November 2020 and applies

provisionally from 16 November 2020. EP gave its

consent on 15 December 2020.

The 7th round of negotiations is ongoing (first session on 26 February 2021, second session on 18-

19 March in Las Palmas, third session scheduled for

the 2nd week of April). The last JCM took place in December 2020.

Morocco 17 July 2023 July 2021 Morocco / / / / / The last JCM took place in December 2020. The

next JCM might take place in October 2021.

Senegal 17 November 2024 / / / / / The last JCM took place on 20-21 January 2021.

The Gambia 30 July 2025 November 2021

Banjul / / / / /

Guinea Bissau 14 June 2024 June 2021 VC / / / / / The first JCM took place in October 2019 in

Brussels.

Greenland 31 December 2020 - EXPIRED

April +

November

2021

/ / / /

Adopted on

26 March

2021

Following four rounds of negotiations, a new

Agreement and Protocol were initialled on 11 January 2021. The Council adopted on 26 March its

Decision on signature and provisional application,

agreed in principle on its Decision on conclusion and forwarded it to the EP for its consent.

17

WE

ST

AF

RIC

A

Cape-Verde 19 May 2024 May June

2021

Sao

Vincente / / / / /

Côte d'Ivoire 31 July 2024 Autumn

2021 TBD / / / / /

The last JC took place by VC in October 2020

Gabon 23 July 2016 - EXPIRED

Mid 2021 TBC / Adopted on 22 October 2015

The negotiation for a new protocol ended susccesfully and a new protocol was initialled on 10

February 2021. Procedures are on-going in view of

the signature and conclusion of this new Protocol (planned: May 2021)

Ghana No Agreement/Protocol

/ Adopted on 3 March 2017

The ex-ante evaluation was conducted end of 2016.

Currently under IUU yellow card dialogue, no immediate plans for an SFPA.

Liberia 8 December 2020 -

EXPIRED June 2021 TBD / /

Adopted on 25

September 2020

The Protocol expired in December 2020. IUU

Yellow card. New negotiations will not start until

the yellow card in the framework of the IUU dialogue is withdrawn.

Equatorial

Guinea N/A / / /

The ex-ante evaluation was approved at the end of

November 2016. Dormant Agreement in place with

no active protocol; currently no plans to request a new negotiation mandate.

São Tomé and

Principe 18 December 2024

Autumn 2021

TBD / / / / /

The last JCM took place on 9-10 October 2020.

IND

IAN

OC

EA

N

Comoros DENOUNCED / / / / / / /

The termination of the SFPA with Comoros has

been notified to the Government of Comoros on 3

July 2018.

Madagascar 31 December 2018 -

EXPIRED TBD Spring 2021 /

Adopted on 4

June 2018

The evaluation study has been concluded (March 2018). The first round of negotiations took place

from 24 to 27 July 2018 in Brussels (together with a

JCM). The second round took place in October 2018, while the third one took place from 23 to 25

September 2019. The fourth round scheduled from

20 to 22 January 2020 in Brussels has been postponed at the request of Madagascar. An high-

level meeting took place in December 2020 to re-

launch the negotiations.

Mauritius 7 December 2021 May/June 2021

TBD May/June 2021

TBD / / /

The ex-post ex-ante evaluation for the renewal of the Protocol should be finalised by first half of

April, and will be followed by the preparation of the Commission's recommendation for a Council's

mandate.

Mozambique 31 January 2015 - EXPIRED

/ Adopted on 12 June 2014

Negotiations for a new protocol suspended until

further notice to enable further reflection by both Parties to narrow divergences. The last JCM took

place in February 2016.

18

Seychelles 23 February 2026 3-4 March

2021 / / / / /

Negotiations concluded in October 2019 with the

initialling of the new SFPA and protocol. Both

agreement and protocol were signed on 24 February 2020 and applied provisionnally until the EP

consent in November 2020. The new SFPA and

Protocol came into force on 27 November 2021. The first JCM was held via web-conference on 3-4

March 2021.

Mayotte (Access

agreement)

5 June 2020 -

Tacitely renewed

June/July

2021 VC

June/July

2021 TBD /

Adopted on 24

October 2019

The last JCM took place in Brussels on 1 March

2019. No financial implications for the EU, as this agreement allows access of Seychelles flagged

vessels to Mayotte's waters under EU jurisdiction.

The first round of negotiations took place from 14 to 16 January 2020 in Mamoudzou. The second

round of negotiations will be held back to back with

the JCM of the current Agreement.

Tanzania No

Agreement/Protocol /

Adopted on 16

June 2015

A first technical meeting took place in Dar-Es-Salaam 4-6 July 2016. Vague interest in discussing

a SFPA with the EU.

Kenya No Agreement/

Protocol /

Adopted on 18

July 2016

PA

CIF

IC

Cook Islands 13 October 2021 (1-

year extension) 12-16 April VC /

Adopted on 7

July 2020

The current protocol is in force since 14 October

2016. Currently the only SFPA in the Pacific. Last

JCM took place in Rarotonga from 20 to 22 February 2019. Ex-post and ex-ante evaluation

finalised. The first round of negotiations took place

on 16 July 2020 (videoconference). A one-year

extension was agreed in 2020 because of the

pandemic restriction preventing the negotiations to

take place. The last JCM took place on 3 March 2021.

Kiribati 15 September 2015 - EXPIRED

TBD / Adopted on 26 January 2015

Three rounds of negotiations took place (last one in

November 2017). A technical meeting took place

from 5 to 7 June 2019. Next round to be fixed.

19

BUREAU

Chair KARLESKIND Pierre 1st Vice-Chair VAN DALEN Peter 3rd Vice-Chair FERRANDINO Giuseppe

2nd Vice-Chair GADE Søren 4th Vice-Chair CARVALHO Maria da Graça

COORDINATORS

EPP MATO Gabriel ID CONTE Rosanna

S&D AGUILERA Clara ECR TOMAŠIĆ Ruža

Renew GADE Søren Gade The Left FERREIRA João

Greens/EFA O'SULLIVAN Grace

COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES FULL MEMBERS

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

AGUILERA Clara ES S&D ANDROULAKIS Nikos EL S&D

BARTOLO Pietro IT S&D AVRAM Carmen RO S&D

BELLAMY François-Xavier FR EPP BITEAU Benoît FR Greens/EFA

BILBAO BARANDICA Izaskun ES Renew BOMPARD Manuel FR The Left

CARVALHAIS Isabel PT S&D CHABAUD Catherine FR Renew

CARVALHO Maria da Graça PT PPE GONZALEZ CASARES Nicolás ES S&D

CASANOVA Massimo IT ID GRANT Valentino IT ID

CONTE Rosanna IT ID HLAVÁČEK Martin CS Renew

VAN DALEN Peter NL EPP HRISTOV Ivo BG S&D

D'AMATO Rosa IT Greens/EFA HUITEMA Jan NL Renew

FERRANDINO Giuseppe IT S&D KALINOWSKI Jarosław PL EPP

FERREIRA João PT The Left KELLER Ska DE Greens/EFA

GADE Søren Gade DA Renew KOKKALIS Petros EL The Left

GUERREIRO Francisco PT Greens/EFA MARKEY Colm IE EPP

HAZEKAMP Anja NL The Left MATO Gabriel ES EPP

HERBST Niclas DE EPP MEBAREK Nora FR S&D

JAMET France FR ID MELO Nuno PT EPP

KARLESKIND Pierre FR Renew MILAZZO Giuseppe IT EPP

MATIĆ Predrag Fred HR S&D MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR Cláudia PT EPP

MILLÁN MON Francisco José ES EPP PIRBAKAS Maxette FR ID

O'SULLIVAN Grace IE Greens/EFA RAFALSKA Elżbieta PL ECR

PIZARRO Manuel PT S&D SCHMIEDTBAUER Simone AT EPP

ROOSE Caroline FR Greens/EFA STANCANELLI Raffaele IT ECR

RUISSEN Bert-Jan NL ECR TARDINO Annalisa IT ID

SCHREIJER-PIERIK Annie NL EPP YON-COURTIN Stéphanie FR Renew

TOMAŠIĆ Ruža HR ECR ŽDANOKA Tatjana LV Greens/EFA

WIESNER Emma SV Renew

ZAGORAKIS Theodoros EL EPP

20

2021

Wednesday, 16 June, 09:00 - 12:00

Wednesday, 16 June, 13:45 - 15:45

Thursday, 17 June, 09:00 - 12:00

Monday, 28 June, 14:00 - 14:30

Monday, 12 July, 13:45 - 16:15

Monday, 12 July, 16:45 - 18:45

Tuesday, 13 July, 09:00 - 12:00

USEFUL LINKS

@ EP Committee on Fisheries link

@ DG MARE (European Commission) link

@ Portuguese Presidency of the Council link

@ FAO Fishery and Aquaculture link

@ ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea link

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The items contained herein are drafted by the secretariat of the Committee on Fisheries of the European

Parliament and are provided for general information purposes only. The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. This document may contain links to websites that are created and maintained by other organisations. The secretariat does not necessarily endorse the view(s) expressed on these websites.