EU row over fish controls

A serious rift has formed between Malta and the European Commission over control of fishing in the Mediterranean.

Commissioner in Malta today for crucial talks

Brussels holds that fishing activity should be strictly controlled and bans should be introduced in the case of overfished stocks. Malta, however, is insisting this arrangement would first have to be negotiated with third countries that share these stocks, a position that is rejected by the Commission.

The two clashed during a Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg earlier this week. European Commissioner Maria Damanaki, who is in charge of the sector, will be in Malta today for crucial talks at the highest level on the future of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.

The Commission has submitted fresh plans for a revision of the policy, introducing the concept of Maximum Sustainable Yields – fishing levels that permit stock renewal – in the Mediterranean. The proposal is that fishing for certain species will be meticulously controlled and even banned for certain periods to give stocks time to rebuild.

Malta agrees with this general concept but holds that where member states share fishing territories with third countries, the proposal would only make sense if agreed with them.

Patrick Mifsud, Malta’s deputy permanent representative to the EU, said during the council meeting that imposing measures on EU member states alone would place their fleets and fishermen at a disadvantage and would not lead to achievement of maximum sustainable yields. He proposed the EU should first negotiate with neighbouring countries, a position supported by Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria.

However, the Commission rubbished Malta’s proposal. Calling the suggestion “unacceptable” and “a red line”, Commissioner Damanaki said: “The EU’s decisions cannot depend on the goodwill of third countries.”

At the end of the meeting, a political compromise was reached without Malta’s support. This aims to achieve maximum sustainable yields by 2015 - 2020 at the latest – while consultation with third countries will be initiated in cases where the stocks are shared.

Malta yesterday made it clear that it is still not satisfied with the current arrangement.

In a statement hours before Ms Damanaki’s visit, the government reiterated its stand that any new rules would have to be agreed with the third countries whose fishermen are catching the same species in the same sea.

“The compromise achieved is positive but does not reach our ambitions. Malta will keep defending the interests of its fishermen and the sustainability of fish stocks,” the statement reiterated, setting the tone for today’s talks.

During her visit, Commissioner Damanaki is to hold meetings with a number of top government officials, including Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.