Joint NGO recommendations to the EU on fishing opportunities for 2024

These joint NGO recommendations to the European Commission and the Council of EU fisheries ministers were co-signed by 19 NGOs (ClientEarth, Birdlife Europe, BirdWatch Ireland, Bloom Association, BUND, The Danish Society for Nature Conservation, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, Défense des Milieux Aquatiques (DMA), Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Dutch Elasmobranch Society, Ecologistas en Acción, Fair Seas, The Fisheries Secretariat, Oceana in Europe, Sciaena, Seas At Risk, Shark Trust, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. In this document, we jointly call on EU fisheries ministers to set fishing opportunities for 2024 in line with the requirements and objectives of the CFP, in order to restore and maintain fish populations above biomass levels capable of producing the maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

This means setting fishing limits not exceeding, and preferably well below, the best available scientific advice for maximum catches, in order to end overfishing and maximise long-term ecosystem health, productivity and resilience in the face of mounting pressures like climate change. We provide clear recommendations regarding

• the setting of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2024,
• the management of fish stocks shared with third parties, including the United Kingdom,
• the need to use mixed fisheries and interspecies considerations and implement an ecosystem-based approach in order to safeguard the most vulnerable stock(s),
• the correct implementation of the landing obligation,
• the management of depleted stocks with zero or very low catch advice,
• the management of stocks not subject to a TAC (such as European eel and sea bass), and
• the management of deep-sea stocks.

Related links:

Find other files produced or co-signed by ClientEarth related to the annual negotiations on fishing opportunities from 2015 onwards here.