Wider environmental objectives

At present, most fisheries are managed on the basis of the size and distribution of stocks of individual fish species. It has long been recognised that this approach does not adequately take account of the interactions between fish species or take full account of a fisheries aimed at catching one species that also catches others. While there has been some progress in incorporating the above interactions, little account has been taken of the effects of fishing on the wider marine environment. A new approach to fisheries management is therefore necessary, one which integrates fisheries management and marine conservation policy and addresses the marine ecosystem as a whole rather than as separate, individual parts.

Important nature conservation issues include:

The need to manage fisheries using an ecosystem approach, with appropriate use of the precautionary principle until sufficient information is available to ensure environmentally sustainable fisheries
The need to reduce overall fishing effort in European waters
The need to manage fisheries on a regional seas basis including the participation of fishermen and environmental groups (including provision for local management of inshore waters)
The need to provide sanctuary areas (or no take zones) to buffer the effects of fishing on stocks and the marine environment
Introduction of environmental assessment of non-quota and new fisheries, particularly elasmobranch and deep-sea fisheries, with improved methods of control

As a background to the above it will be necessary to enhance research activities and to ensure effective enforcement of legislation.