Amendments to the multiannual plans for fisheries

The recent State of EU fisheries report is unequivocal: Minimising negative impacts of fishing on the marine environment, its habitats and species must continue in order to safeguard the very basis of fisheries prosperity. This imperative must lead any discussion on a potential Fisheries Omnibus on Multiannual Plans (MAPs).

Revision of the WestMed plan as part of the implementation of the CFP (Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013), in particular its objectives of sustainability (Article 2) and the inclusion of environmental, social and economic criteria in the allocation of fishing opportunities (Article 17). It aims to strengthen the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries and multilevel governance in the Mediterranean.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Dear DG MARE, Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the fisheries Omnibus and MAPs discussions. As you know, or should know, we, the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), have for many years criticised the management of EU fisheries for being generally too lenient with regard to the protection of the environment and sustainable use of the fish stocks.

In the document attached to this reply, the Comité National des Pêches Maritimes et des Elevages Marins (CNPMEM), representing all French professional fishing activities, shares its views on three key points: Its opposition to the downgrading to biological status of the ‘most vulnerable stock’ of the multiannual plan for the western Mediterranean, its request for the removal of the ‘5 % rule’ present in the other…

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Spain considers that a comprehensive revision of the multiannual plans is needed to make it a more effective management tool by providing greater legal certainty and economic predictability for operators. Such a revision would address these shortcomings, enabling sustainable and robust fisheries management in the long term that ensures the economic viability of the sector while promoting species recovery.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a Europe-wide platform of 40 associated member organisations from 16 EU Member States, from the UK and Norway (18 countries total), incorporating around 10,000 small-scale fishers committed to minimising their impact on the environment and to maximising the societal benefits they generate.

Professionals from Grau-du-Roi (14 trawlers and 70 small-scale crafts) recall the essential role of artisanal fishing in the local economy, maritime employment, food sovereignty and local authority. They stress that the WestMed plan, despite the significant efforts made since 2019, has contributed to a gradual weakening of the sector (reduction in the fleet, loss of economic visibility, investment difficulties and…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Europêche welcomes the European Commissions initiative to review the Multiannual Plans (MAPs) for the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Western Waters and Western Mediterranean. We support efforts to improve legal clarity, simplify the regulatory framework and ensure that fisheries management rules are coherent, practical and workable in their implementation.

South OOH welcomes the European Commission’s call for evidence and welcomes the willingness to revise the fisheries management plan for the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In particular, the South OP and its members subscribe to the objective “to adapt the definition of the most vulnerable stock in order to allow for a more balanced approach to the management of mixed fisheries, while ensuring that all stocks are…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The Regional Government of the Azores welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to revise fisheries management rules, recognising their potential to promote the simplification of the regulatory framework, enhance legal certainty and improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) thanks the Commission for the opportunity to provide input on the call for evidence on the revision of fisheries management rules (Omnibus) and the Multiannual Management Plans (MAPs).

We welcome the improvement of legal clarity and implementation, provided that legal simplification does not under any circumstances weaken safeguards for depleted aquatic animal populations, increase fishing pressure on vulnerable species, or increase impacts on non-target species.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

In the context of the public consultation, the Catalan Fisheries Sector, through its Fishermen’s Associations, considers it necessary to move towards a structural reform that restores the balance between the three pillars of sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The 5 % rule (Article 4(7) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472) is difficult to apply because it pursues a long-term objective, which justifies its precautionary approach, but it is applied in an annual framework when setting total allowable catches (TACs), which are themselves based on scientific advice and catch recommendations drawn up each year.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The Omnibus revision represents an opportunity to make the Maps more effective, clear and balanced, ensuring the health of stocks in the long term without compromising the socio-economic viability of fishing communities such as Galician ones.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The European Institute for Animal Law & Policy (EIALP) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this Call for Evidence for an Impact Assessment on the Fisheries Management Rules Revision Omnibus. EIALP is an animal law and policy organization whose mission is to improve the treatment of animals, including aquatic animals, in EU law and policy.

Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions Call for Evidence for the Impact Assessment accompanying the Fisheries Management Rules Revision Omnibus initiative.

Regarding the Multiannual Plan (MAP) for the Baltic Sea: At Marine Ingredients Denmark (MID), we support the removal of the 5% rule under Article 4(6), as we consider its application to be disproportionate and not aligned with scientific advice. We strongly believe that scientific advice from ICES must always be the foundation for fisheries management decisions.

Regarding the Multiannual Plan (MAP) for the Baltic Sea: At EFFOP - Marine Nutrients Europe, we support the removal of the 5% rule under Article 4(6), as we consider its application to be disproportionate and not aligned with scientific advice. We strongly believe that scientific advice from ICES must always be the foundation for fisheries management decisions.

For the Western Mediterranean MAP, the initiative aims to promote a more balanced approach to managing mixed fisheries, while ensuring that stocks are maintained at levels consistent with maximum sustainable yield.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Confraria DE Pescadors PALAMÓS In the context of the public consultation, the fisheries sector in Catalonia, through its fishermen’s associations, considers it necessary to move towards a structural reform that restores the balance between the three pillars of sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Please find attache the full text of the MEDAC advice (Ref.150/2026) MEDAC CALLS FOR: - an assessement of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022, a thorough updated analysis of the recovery effects on fish stocks and it social and economic costs to carried out beforehand: this analysis must quantify the cumulative impact on job losses (both on board and in the logistics and processing sectors), on the reduction in fishing vessel…

The Santa Pola Fishermen’s Association (Cofradía de Pescadores de Santa Pola) appears in the present consultation procedure to express its deep concern about the consequences that the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 has had on the western Mediterranean trawler fleet and, in particular, on the fishing companies in our port.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The Brittany Region supports fisheries management based on multiannual plans for each sea basin, providing predictability and legal certainty for the Brittany fisheries sector. The Brittany region points out that the protection of fishery resources is a precondition for the maintenance of professional fishing activities.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Aquitaine fishermen is a producer organisation (PO) representing professional fishing companies operating, inter alia, in the Bay of Biscay. As such, it is directly concerned by the arrangements for managing fishing opportunities set out in the European multiannual plans.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

While pushing for a specific omnibus procedure to reform the CFP and the Control and EMFAF Regulations, we consider it a priority to immediately adopt the Western Mediterranean MAP Omnibus Regulation, within a timeframe compatible with its approval at AGRIFISH in December, in order to correct the dysfunctions generated and their cumulative negative effects.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

In the area of fisheries policy, the EU’s regulatory framework for fisheries should be simplified, as in other areas, while preserving the objectives of the CFP. This requires reducing the volume of EU legislation, focusing on better implementation of existing law and reducing fragmentation, duplication and reporting obligations in legislation.

Filed in Estonian · English published by the European Commission

Please find attached the full contribution of Seas At Risk on the Call for Evidence on the revision of fisheries management rules through the proposed Fisheries Omnibus initiative. We consider that the current Multiannual Plans (MAPs) remain largely fit for purpose and that the main challenge lies in their insufficient and inconsistent implementation, rather than in shortcomings of the legal framework itself.

Founded in 1968 and recognised as being in the public interest in 1976, France Nature Environnement (FNE) is the French federation of associations for the protection of nature and the environment, approved for the protection of the environment. It brings together 6 329 member associations and is present on all French seaboards.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

In the context of the public consultation, the fisheries sector in Catalonia, through its fishermen’s associations, considers it necessary to move towards a structural reform that restores the balance between the three pillars of sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

In the context of the public consultation, the Catalan Fisheries Sector, through its Fishermen’s Associations, considers it necessary to move towards an ESTRUCTURAL REFORM that restores the balance between the three pillars of sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Stichting De Noordzee reageert op de Call for Evidence inzake de herziening van de meerjarenplannen (MAPs) voor de visserij. Stichting De Noordzee verwelkomt de herziening van de MAPs, maar plaatst kanttekeningen bij het besluit om deze via een omnibuswetgevingsinitiatief vorm te geven.

This proposal has been prepared by Foro Cientifico para la Pesca Española en El Mediterráneo. It is a summary of aspects of the MAP and of the decision-making process that we believe are in need of review. A. Mandatory focus on MVS: it generates a choking effect because a multispecific fishery is managed as single stock, which can change yearly depending on the assessment outputs.

In the context of the public consultation, the fisheries sector in Catalonia, through its fishermen’s associations, considers it necessary to move towards a structural reform that restores the balance between the three pillars of sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) welcomes the opportunity to provide evidence on the revision of fisheries management rules under the EU multiannual plans. ALI works across supply chains, certification standards, and legislative reform to ensure aquatic animal welfare is recognized, protected, and prioritized.

The call for this impact assessment shows that the initiative aims to facilitate the implementation of the multiannual management plans and ensure that the rules are clear and fit for purpose, in line with the recent Communication ‘A simpler, clearer and better enforced EU regulatory framework’.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

Coldiretti, the largest organisation representing farmers and fishers in Italy and Europe, with its 1.6 million members, welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to gather input on the review of fisheries management rules – Omnibus. See detailed position paper attached.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

We are deeply concerned by the proposal to take away the 5 % rule in article 4.6 in the Baltic multiannual plan (MAP). Regardless of justifications given, that rule is there as a safeguard to prevent stocks from collapse. We therefor strongly reject the proposed removal.

The revision of the Common Fisheries Policy should make it possible to correct a number of structural imbalances which currently penalise small-scale small-scale European fishing, particularly Mediterranean fishing. The first priority concerns the application of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

This document is being sent as part of the European Commission’s public consultation on the revision of fisheries management rules and the future of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Drawn up on the basis of the realities observed on the ground and the concerns expressed by professionals in the Mediterranean fisheries sector, this White Paper puts forward specific proposals aimed at strengthening the sustainability…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

This proposal has been prepared by Foro Cientifico para la Pesca Española en El Mediterráneo. It is a summary of aspects of the MAP and of the decision-making process that we believe are in need of review. A. Mandatory focus on MVS: it generates a choking effect because a multispecific fishery is managed as single stock, which can change yearly depending on the assessment outputs.

From the Baltic Salmon Fund and from the stakeholders in the Baltic Salmon Rivers through the Baltic Salmon Rivers Association we want to defend the rules that exist around the management of the common fisheries policy and in the multiannual plans for the Baltic Sea.

The Cofradía de Pescadores de Villajoyosa welcomes the fact that the European Commission has initiated the revision of the multiannual plan for demersal fisheries in the western Mediterranean. The fishing industry has made significant efforts in recent years to achieve the sustainability objectives set by the Common Fisheries Policy.

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Reply from Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre: SUMMARY A deletion or change to Art. 4.6 in the Baltic multiannual plan (MAP) would in all probability lead to less legal clarity. Complaints of a lack of legal certainty or overlapping with other rules in the MAP are based on a misunderstanding. If there were uncertainty about how to interpret and implement the 5% rule it could be remedied by recourse to court.

The Western Mediterranean MAP adopted in 2 019 has led to a clear recovery of exploited stocks, most of which, and in most of the GSAs, are reaching MSY. It has also caused enormous social tension, and if it has not succeeded in the social and economic collapse of the fleets, it has been thanks to the significant EMFAF funds that have been dedicated to financially compensating for mandatory temporary cessations.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT OF THE SHRIMP CATCH LIMIT ON PALAMÓS PORT In Palamós, since 2013, there has been a regulation governing the management of the red shrimp fishery: Order AAA/923/2013 of 16 May, which regulates the fishing of deep-water rose shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) using bottom trawl gear in certain maritime areas near Palamós.

The current definition of the ‘most vulnerable stock’ provided for in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 appears particularly inappropriate, particularly in the Corsican context. Its application is already based on a legal framework whose scope remains ambiguous for GSA 8, as evidenced by the difficulty of linking the WestMed management scale with the available scientific assessments.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

All regional fisheries managers agree on the need for fishery resources to be exploited sustainably, as close as possible to maximum sustainable yield. However, this cannot be done without considering other necessary variables that must also be included in the equation.

The WEST MED MAP has been the first serious attempt to address the problem of overfishing in demersal stocks of the Mediterranean Sea done by the European Union. It has introduced an effort management regime and the results are evident with the improvement of target species populations. However, some aspects of the WEST MED MAP need to be modified urgently.

The evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), carried out in 2025 by the European Commission (EC) itself, reveals a structural imbalance between the three pillars of fisheries sustainability. While the CFP has significantly contributed to improving the environmental pillar, with a clear recovery of fish stocks in the Mediterranean, it has had a very negative economic and social impact, in particular because…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

After six years of implementation of MAP WestMed, several structural problems have been identified. First, the plan is based on the concept of the most vulnerable stock, which is not suitable for a mixed fishery such as that in the Mediterranean. This approach leads to excessive dependence on fishing effort for a single species, in particular hake, which has led to disproportionate decisions.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

We support the objective of improving legal clarity and practical implementation, provided that any simplification does not weaken the core conservation commitments of the Common Fisheries Policy, in particular the requirement to restore and maintain fish stocks above levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield.

After 6 years of implementation of MAP WestMed, several structural problems are identified. First, the plan is based on the concept of the most vulnerable stock, which is not suitable in a mixed fishery such as that in the Mediterranean. This approach makes fishing effort excessively dependent on one species, in particular hake, and has led to disproportionate decisions.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission