ClientEarth response to the public consultation for the CFP evaluation

The European Ocean Pact should provide for an Implementation and Enforcement action plan for all ocean-related legislation and policies, including the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as outlined in ClientEarth's response to the public consultation for an evaluation of the CFP. 

Strengthening the implementation and enforcement of existing ocean-related legislation is the simplest way to reap the environmental, social and economic benefits of the CFP, as well as guarantee the wellbeing of coastal communities including traditional fishers. There is no time nor need to go through another legislative process on the CFP unnecessarily consuming time, capacities and resources at EU and Member State level, while risking legal uncertainties. Applying EU law is not only a legal obligation under the EU Treaties and a necessity of the functioning of a democratic EU – it is also economically profitable and needed for a competitive and thriving EU. Simply put, without fish, there are no fishers, without clean and healthy waters, there is no blue tourism. In the context of increasing insecurity, marine health is an essential contributor to economic resilience and political stability.