It introduces for the first time a multiannual plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of demersal¹ stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea, in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The main objectives of the plan are:

to contribute to achieving the objectives of the CFP objectives, in particular by applying precautionary and ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management;
to ensure that exploitation of marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY)²;
to contribute to eliminating discards by avoiding and reducing unwanted catches, and implement the landing obligation³ in the long-term.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The regulation applies to the stocks driving demersal fisheries (i.e. hake, red mullet, deep-water rose shrimp, blue and red shrimp, giant red shrimp and Norway lobster), by-catch⁴ stocks and other demersal stocks for which sufficient data are not available. It also applies to commercial and, to a certain extent, recreational fisheries exploiting those stocks in the western Mediterranean (i.e. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean sub-areas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

Targets

The fishing mortality targets are F_MSY⁵ ranges which should be achieved by 2020 where possible, and by 1 January 2025 at the latest, and then maintained within these ranges. These targets are set based on the best available scientific advice, in particular by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), or a similar recognised independent scientific body.

Conservation reference points and safeguard measures

Conservation reference points are benchmarks used to compare the status of a stock to the desired state, helping to determine the success of the fishery

where scientific advice shows that the spawning stock biomass⁶ of any of the stocks concerned is below the precautionary reference point, expressed as spawning stock biomass (B_PA), all appropriate remedial measures must be taken to ensure the rapid return of stocks to levels above those capable of producing MSY.
where spawning stock biomass is below the limit reference point, expressed as spawning stock biomass (B_LIM), further remedial measures must be taken, including suspending the targeted fishery for the stocks concerned and reducing maximum allowable fishing effort according to the nature, seriousness, duration and repetition of the situation.

Fishing effort regime

The regulation introduces a fishing effort regime at EU level for all trawls exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea. Each year, the Council sets a maximum allowable fishing effort (number of fishing days) for each fishing effort group managed by each EU country. The plan foresees a 10% reduction for 2020 and up to 30% reduction between the second and fifth years. The Council may also set limits for recreational fishing. Data on fishing effort will be shared with the European Commission.

Closure areas

The use of trawls is banned within 6 nautical miles from the coast, except in areas deeper than 100 m, for 3 months each year based on scientific advice, timing to be determined by each EU country and applying during the most relevant period.
On expert advice, EU countries may establish other closure areas, provided that a reduction of at least 20% of catches of juvenile hake in each geographical subarea is achieved.
By 17 July 2021, other closure areas must be established where there is evidence of a high concentration of juvenile fish, below the minimum conservation reference size, and of spawning grounds of demersal stocks, in particular for the stocks concerned.

Landing obligation

The regulation provides details as to the long-term implementation of the landing obligation. In particular, it introduces regionalisation provisions as required to extend and/or amend exemptions for species with demonstrated high survival rates and de minimis exemptions⁷.

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The regulation provides support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for temporary and permanent cessation measures of fishing activities for the trawl vessels subject to the plan.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

The regulation has applied since 16 July 2019. The fishing effort regime applies from 1 January 2020. The targets and the safeguard measure for the precautionary reference point (B_PA) apply from 1 January 2025.

BACKGROUND

KEY TERMS

Demersal: fish species which live on or close to the sea bed.
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY): an assessment of the maximum number of fish a population can produce in a given year.
Landing obligation: requires all catches of regulated commercial species on-board to be landed and counted against quota.
By-catch: unwanted fish and marine species caught unintentionally.
F_MSY: a biological reference point for fisheries management. It is the fishing pressure that gives the maximum sustainable yield in the long term.
Spawning stock biomass: the total weight of all sexually mature fish in the stock.
De minimis exemption: an exemption allowing a small percentage of the total catch of certain species to be discarded because it is difficult to completely avoid unwanted catches.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 (OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, pp. 1-17)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.