Summary
This document, commonly known as the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), opens by outlining the impacts of fishing and the preceding treaties and legislative agreements that motivated its creation. It also set forth certain goals for legislation and regulations, such as reducing unintended catch, covering multiple stocks (fishing populations), and landing obligations and locations. The regulation sets its scope at the conservation of “marine biological resources,” and those that harvest those resources. This includes all vessels within European Union borders and waters and Union fleets beyond such boundaries. The CFP also emphasizes the need for cooperation with those active in fisheries to collect scientific data and stakeholder input. Several definitions are also provided, notable ones including “maximum sustainable yield,” “selective fishing,” and “conservation reference point” It also defines geographical colloquialisms (i.e. the “North Sea”).
The regulation then begins to outline the conservation measures, which may include economic incentives, minimum conservation reference sizes, pilot projects, prohibitions on certain types of fishing gear, and limitations on catch size. The regulation then establishes areas for stock recovery, and explains multiannual plans, conformity with existing environmental legislation, and landing obligations for fleets that catch certain types of aquatic life. It also requires that the distribution of fishing opportunities ensures economic and environmental stability. The regulation closes by allowing member states to set standards to govern fleets flying their flag and nondiscriminatory legislation governing waters within 12 nautical miles of their coast, providing said legislation is at least as restrictive as the regulations here. The regulation closes by promoting sustainable aquaculture, common market organization, and organizing advisory councils.