ECR MEP Raffaele Stancanelli’s initiative report on rebuilding fish stocks in the Mediterranean Sea has been approved by a large majority.

The report focuses on protecting fisheries and their related activities in the region, taking into account socio-economic dimensions and recognising that EU fishers often face dangerous conditions because third countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea do not respect international agreements.

Commenting after the report’s adoption, Mr Stancanelli said:

“Fishing is one of the most important production sectors in the Mediterranean and is the expression of millenary traditions that should be protected as well.

“The Commission’s willingness to set high environmental standards is undoubtedly acceptable and positive, but this should not come at the cost of increasing imports and reducing EU food production. The other important point is compliance with international agreements on the territoriality of waters, so that dangerous instances involving European fishing boats can be avoided.”

The report underlines that the implementation of the common fisheries policy should achieve the right balance between economic, environmental and social sustainability.

“Marine sustainability is a common objective that cannot be achieved to the detriment of the survival of companies operating in the sector”, Stancanelli added.

The report goes in this direction, aspiring for a greater involvement of local and regional actors in the production of data on the situation of fish stocks. In addition, the report anticipates the implementation of a system that takes into account all the factors that influence the state of fish stocks and that no longer assumes that fishing activities are wholly responsible for any deterioration of the Mediterranean Sea.