European Parliament boost for recognition of angling

EFTTA and the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) have welcomed a resolution adopted by the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee which further recognises the importance of recreational fishing within communities in the region and its major contribution to the economy.

The Fisheries Committee has requested that the European Commission evaluates the role of angling when considering the Common Fisheries Policy CFP) so that both types of maritime fishing – commercial and recreation – can be managed in a ‘balanced, fair and sustainable’ manner. The resolution, a non-legislative binding report entitled ‘State of play of the recreational fisheries in the European Union’ was drafted by MEP, Norica Nicolai, the Chair of the EFTTA and EAA-backed Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment.

The report was adopted at a meeting in Brussels last week and it is hoped that it will be approved by plenary vote in June. Full coverage of the meeting can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/CaleaEuropeana/videos/1534264656608599/?fref=mentions.

 

EFTTA CEO, Jean-Claude Bel (right) spoke at the meeting in Brussels where a report on the value of recreational fisheries within the EU was adopted.
EFTTA CEO, Jean-Claude Bel (right) spoke at the meeting in Brussels where a report on the value of recreational fisheries within the EU was adopted.

 

“This is yet another important step towards a much-needed full recognition by the European institutions of the recreational fisheries sector and its importance to people, communities and the economy, including the implementation of the eco-system-based fisheries management approach and ‘best-use’ of the society’s wild fish resource,” says EFTTA and the EAA. Both groups contributed to the preparation of the report and organised a conference earlier this year in the European Parliament to discuss its findings. The meeting was attended by several MEP’s and representatives of the European Commission and Member States.

During the debate, EFTTA and the EAA reiterated the need to include the recreational fishing sector in the CFP on an equal footing with the two other major fisheries stakeholders, commercial fishing and aquaculture, when discussing the CFP and the management of sustainable fish stocks. EFFTA and the EAA both welcomed the report’s call for more and better catch and socio-economic data on a regular basis to get a clearer picture of catches by anglers and its socio-economic importance and trends.

Source: www.angling-international.com.

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