It’s Not Broken – So Please Don’t Try to Fix It?
The current EC definition of small-scale coastal fishing (SSCF) works well. Attempts to replace it are at best misguided, and at worst counter-productive says LIFE.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) only took SSCF into account in 2013 following a process of reform. The 2009 Green Paper on the Reform of the CFP highlighted the importance of SSCF and went as far as proposing a differentiated policy and management approach. However, this approach was not adopted.
Prior to that, the European Fisheries Fund (EFF – Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006) had come up with a definition in 2006 to ensure that vessels being transferred to tsunami hit countries were appropriate and in line with local needs.
The definition currently used by the EMFAF (Regulation (EU) 2021/1139), and applied by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF) in their reporting is based on this 2006 definition (vessels under 12 metres using non-towed gears) but widened in 2013 to include fishers on foot including shellfish gatherers.
The STECF 2024 Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet (STECF 24-03 & 24-07) states that the “definition for Small-Scale Coastal Fleet is determined in Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of 7 July 2021, which establishes the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amends Regulation (EU) 2017/1004” (as noted above). When this definition is applied, their findings are that the main characteristics of SSCF vessels include:
- Area of operation closest to landing points, usually operating within 12 miles;
- The vessels are usually owned by small families or one physical person;
- Represents the most significant part of the EU fleet in terms of number of vessels – data showing that in 2022 it comprised 76% of the active fleet and 53% of the engaged crew;
- SSCF generally improves production price to a higher degree than the LSF, and the gap between prices at first sale can be very high. These gaps may be explained by both differences in quality linked to freshness, size grade and shorter fish supply chain – data showing that in 2022 SSCF landings represented 19% of all EU landings by value, but 6% by value.
- Importance to Coastal Communities: the small-scale coastal fleet plays a significant role in supporting coastal communities, providing employment opportunities and contributing to local economies. These fishers often have strong cultural and social ties to their communities, passing down traditional fishing knowledge from generation to generation;
- Sustainable Practices: many small-scale coastal fishers adhere to sustainable fishing practices to preserve fish stocks and maintain the ecological balance of coastal areas. They often prioritize selective fishing techniques, avoiding overfished species, and minimizing bycatch (unintended catch of non-target species).
In its 2005/06 Recommendation no 25 04, the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) determines that, for the purposes of the Recommendation, a “small-scale coastal vessel” is a catching vessel with at least three of the five following characteristics: (a) length overall <12 m; (b) the vessel is fishing exclusively inside the territorial waters of the flag CPC; (c) fishing trips have a duration of less than 24 hours; (d) the maximum crew number is established at four persons; or (e) the vessel is fishing using techniques which are selective and have a reduced environmental impact.
Qualifying with only three out of the 5 criteria means that a) the lid on maximum vessel size is lifted, without any limit, and b) any environmentally damaging and non-selective fishing gears may be used. This definition potentially includes up to 90% or more of the EU fleet in the SSCF category, and reduces the significance of SSCF as being low in environmental impact and high in socio-economic value.
LIFE is firmly opposed to such a change.
The road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. We call on the well-intended European Parliamentarians to reconsider their call to modify the SSCF definition or justify the change. If they must apply the ICCAT criteria, then please apply all 5 of the 5 criteria.
