Vijesti

What’s in a Name? The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same.

By Brian O’Riordan, LIFE Policy Adviser 

 

What’s in a name? In the recently announced EU budget for the next period – the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028 to 2034 – fisheries funding under the EMFAF has been subsumed into the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF) worth an eyewatering Euros 865 billion. Within the NRPF, 2 billion Euros has been “ringfenced (as a minimum) for fisheries”, says Commission President, von der Leyen. In addition to the 2 billion, fisheries interests will be able to apply for sectoral support (including for modernisation, decarbonisation, fleet renewal, fish marketing, fisheries regeneration) under the NRPF. 

The more things change, the more they remain the same, and it is still far from clear how this huge readjustment could help small-scale fisheries (SSF). In this piece, we take a preliminary look at these new arrangements, and what needs to be done for them to make the difference needed to bring SSF back from the brink, and to support the sector into the future so that it can realise its full potential in the fight to restore Europe’s declining seas.

As for the Common Fisheries Policy, so for the funding of fisheries: small-scale fisheries are a forgotten fleet, a policy outlier – and have been for the past 4 decades. Will the new policies in the pipeline – the Ocean Act and the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) for sectoral support – change the status quo? Both the Ocean Pact (the precursor of the Ocean Act) and the EC proposal for sectoral support for the next period, make small-scale fisheries a priority. This is to be welcomed. 

For LIFE, bringing small-scale fisheries back to the centre of fisheries policies requires making fishing fair through a differentiated approach. Such an approach must take into account the special and different characteristics of the small-scale fleet – that set it apart socially, economically and environmentally, and which could make it a game changer for Europe’s troubled seas. To achieve this, LIFE is calling on the Commission and European decision takers to “Učinite ribolov poštenim”. In this endeavour, sectorial support is key to making fishing fair, alongside fair access to resources and fair access to markets. 

LIFE contends that fair access to sectoral support for all fleet segments should be based on economic, social and environmental considerations (i.e. giving priority those who fish in the most sustainable way and who provide the greatest benefits to society). In a nutshell, fuel subsidies and financial support need to be shifted away from high-polluting, high impacting vessels towards initiatives that support environmentally friendly and socio-economically beneficial fishing.

We await with anticipation some clarity on how the new funding mechanisms included in the new budget for the next 7-year period, 2028-34, will work. In particular, what special mechanisms and safeguards will be included to ensure that the next EU Budget will work for small-scale fisheries, where such issues as generational renewal, fleet decarbonisation, and viability are ever more pressing?

 

The New EU Budget – the Multiannual Funding Framework (MFF): EMFAF disappears into the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF)

The so-called Multiannual Funding Framework (MFF – the EU’s Budget) has been given a massive shake up by the European Commission, combining many of the existing financial mechanisms – including the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund, and the fund for Rural Development – into the European Economic, Territorial, Social, Rural and Maritime Sustainable Prosperity and Security Fund.  

In her Statement on July 16, Commission President von der Leyen outlined 5 key areas of the new MFF: Firstly, “investing in people, Member States and regions, National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) worth EUR 865 billion, will be the foundation for investment and reform.  At their heart remain cohesion and agriculture”. Von de Leyen stated EUR 300 billion will be safeguarded for farmers’ income support, and “on Fisheries, EUR  2 billion are ringfenced as a minimum”, she said.

For his part, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis stated that: “fisheries and aquaculture producers will remain the lifeblood of Europe’s coastal communities and economies.”

He went on the reassure that fisheries and ocean related policies would be well reflected in the 3 main building blocks of the new MFF – the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF worth EUR 453 billion), the European Competitiveness Fund (EUR 409 billion to support investments in the Blue Economy, including fisheries), Horizon Europe (EUR 175 billion to support ocean observation, research and innovation), and Global Europe (EUR 200 billion to support Ocean Diplomacy and the fight against IUU). 

In addition to the Euros 2 billion ringfenced “for supporting the CFP”, Kadis mentioned that an EU facility worth 63 billion would be available to fund data collection, fisheries control and digital solutions. 

It may be worth reflecting that compared to the 6 billion of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the previous 7 year period, 2 billion is significant belt tightening. President of the European Parliament Pech Committee, Carmen Crespo Díaz, expressed concern about the CFP losing its identity and importance, stating that “Fisheries is a common EU policy. It must not lose its identity. Without a specific fund, there is no specific policy”.  

However, Kadis did emphasise that “EU fishers and aquaculture producers can (also) have access to the big pot of EUR 453 bn, through the national plans (the NRPPs) submitted by EU Member States.” Obviously though, this depends on national and regional priorities and the demands from competing sectors. 

Further insights are provided in the proposal published by the European Commission for a regulation in support of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the Ocean Pact and the EU’s maritime and aquaculture policy for the next 7-year funding period

The proposal provides a long list of the areas to be covered by the NRPF for the maritime sectors referred to, namely:

"the generational renewal and energy transition of fisheries, sustainable aquaculture activities, and processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, marine knowledge, skilling of blue economy related activities, the resilience of coastal communities and in particular of small-scale coastal fishing, the strengthening of international ocean governance and observation and enabling seas and ocean to be safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed"

Perhaps small-scale fishers can  take heart that, in Recital 5, the new NRPF proposal for the combined maritime sectors states that: the particular needs of small-scale coastal fishing, and the contribution to environmental, economic and social sustainability of fishing operations, as defined in the CFP Regulation 1380/2013 should be addressed in the National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans, as set out in Article 22 of [NRP Regulation]. Also that Article 3.3 states that “for operations related to small-scale coastal fishing, Member States may grant a maximum 100 % aid intensity rate"..."

However, whatever the new instrument may be called, whatever the aid intensity rate, and whatever the nice wording used, unless the specificities of small-scale fisheries are taken into account, funding will continue to fall short. 

Three key issues, long neglected in previous EU budgets, need particular attention: a) the lack of political will to support small-scale fisheries and the squeezing of the sector on many sides; b) the complexity of the process for applying for funds, and the heavy bureaucratic burdens imposed; and c) the need for projects to be completed before funding becomes available. 

Unless these issues are addressed, and a dedicated delivery system for small-scale fisheries with clear priorities established, whatever name is given to sectoral support and whatever fine declarations are made, funds will not reach Europe’s forgotten fleet. The Blue Seeds initiative in partnership with WWF shows how pre-financing can work for delivering successful and sustainable solutions for small-scale fisheries projects. This could be one line to follow in the NRPPs for funding SSF.

Fleet Modernisation, Decarbonisation and Generational Renewal: more questions than answers

In previous EMFF and EMFAF proposals the Commission had set out conditions for fleet modernisation and renewal, with special provisions for small-scale fisheries (through National SSF Action Plans). Although generational renewal and energy transition are the first mentioned priorities of the NRPF, there is no mention of how this is to be achieved through funding of new vessels (for young fishers) or vessel conversions and retrofitting new engines and equipment (for decarbonisation). 

An optimistic interpretation of this would be that the Commission has taken simplification to its logical conclusion and placed the entire responsibility on Member States for deciding what priority fleet renewal and decarbonisation should be given (compared to say agriculture and rural development priorities), and deciding the conditions under which new MFF funding can be allocated through the NRPPs to fisheries. This would mean that the Parliament and the Council will no longer have a role to revise the proposals, but that each Member State will be free to decide on its own framework and priorities. 

A more pessimistic view would see this as a further marginalisation of fisheries, with a drastically reduced allocation of funding, in a context of spatial squeezing from more economically and politically powerful Blue Economy sectors, and with aquaculture and as yet ill defined “Blue Food” being prioritised as the future for food to be produced from the sea. 

Clarity is therefore needed on what overarching conditions will be applied at EU level, other than the need to be WTO compliant, and with any new builds, modernisation and vessel conversions  requiring that national capacity ceilings are respected. 

All this needs to be placed in the context of a system for measuring and reporting fleet capacity that is not fit for purpose, rife with misreporting and engine certification fraud, with significant undocumented overcapacity exacerbating overfishing. The current system based on GT and kW is long overdue for reform.

We need a new fit-for-purpose system that can differentiate between fishing capacity that causes overfishing, and capacity that is needed to provide decent working conditions. Such a system also needs to enable the EU vessel fleet to modernise and to incorporate technical solutions for decarbonisation without penalties. 

The New European Finding Landscape under the MFF 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any Questions?

The EC has just published a “Q&A” on the new 2028-2034 budget proposal for fisheries, aquaculture and ocean-related activities.

It explains that the goal of the redesign of the MFF for fisheries, aquaculture, maritime and ocean related policies is to reduce fragmentation, better align funding with national and regional priorities, and enable faster budget reallocation in response to crises and exceptional events. At the same time, the proposal aims to grant more flexibility to Member States to better address their needs and priorities.

It highlights that the NRPF can be used to make investments in rural and coastal areas, community-led local development (CLLD), smart specialisation strategies, and support for generational renewal in the fishery and aquaculture sector.

It explains that NRPPs can allocate resources to energy transition measures, and clarifies that: the Competitiveness Fund is explicitly designed to back decarbonisation and innovation – for example modernising vessels, port electrification, green shipbuilding, and blue tech.

It highlights that any fleet support must comply with WTO fisheries subsidies rules and CFP objectives.

 What makes small scale fisheries a potential game changer? 

• High socio-economic significance:70% of the EU fleet by number, 50% of the seagoing jobs, 19% by value of all EU catches; providing high quality, catch of the day fresh fish; representing an invaluable repository of local traditional and experiential knowledge of marine ecosystems, oceanography and meteorology; 
• Low environmental impact: 5% of EU catches by volume, 10% of the fishing capacity, measured by GT.
• Low carbon food production, low carbon livelihood generation; declining use of fossil fuels, 35 litres per day/ 38 Euros per day; fossil fuel consumption of SSF a drop in the ocean compared to other sectors (like maritime transport).

What are the specificities of small-scale fisheries that require a differentiated approach?

• Small-scale fishing is a traditional way of life for many coastal dwellers, who are willing to sacrifice economic gain in order to live and work next to and on the sea, and to practice the profession of their forebears. Such activity may be part-time, seasonal and combined with other activities, providing enough income to get by on.   
• SSF is based on micro or nano family based enterprises, the majority with business turnovers of 100.000 Euros or less, many engaged in seasonal or part-time employment, often reliant on unpaid or underpaid labour to make businesses viable, and with little capacity to absorb economic shocks;
• Small scale operations, with single operator or small crew on board, long hours, incurring significant opportunity costs by taking time out to attend external meetings, and with little surplus to invest in hiring representatives to act on the fishers’ behalf;
• Important source of revenue and socio-economic benefits in remote communities with few alternatives, with important links to tourism. A vibrant harbour full of small boats is an invaluable attraction for tourism, without which tourism would decline. 
• Low volume, high value production, making producers highly vulnerable to market fluctuations and competition from high volume production and low cost imported products; and
• Limited geographical range and limited fishing opportunities makes the fishing activities especially vulnerable to overfishing and competition from larger scale fishing, climate change impacts, to invasive species (like marine algae) and to displacement from traditional fishing grounds through spatial squeezing.

Obavijest o slobodnom radnom mjestu

 

Administrativni i financijski službenik

 

Udruga ribara s niskim utjecajem na okoliš (LIFE) paneuropska je platforma koja okuplja male ribare (SSF) kako bi se postiglo pravedno ribarstvo, zdrava mora i živahne zajednice. Kao organizacija organizacija iz cijele Europe, LIFE nastoji pružiti predan glas svojim članovima, podržavajući ih u regionalnom organiziranju i izgradnji njihovih kapaciteta na nacionalnoj i lokalnoj razini, kako kao malih proizvođača tako i kao pokretača promjena. LIFE je registriran u Belgiji kao neprofitna udruga (asbl).

LIFE traži administrativnu i knjigovodstvenu podršku za izgradnju svojih knjigovodstvenih i financijskih kapaciteta za izvještavanje te za organizaciju administrativnih zadataka svog ureda u Bruxellesu i regionalne koordinacije.  

Potreba se pojavila zbog sve veće uloge LIFE-a u projektima na razini EU-a, s rastućim zahtjevima za koordinaciju sve veće raznolikosti aktivnosti i pravovremeno pružanje detaljnih financijskih i administrativnih izvješća slijedeći stroge smjernice. U nadolazećem razdoblju vjerojatno će se povećati broj projekata u koje sudjelujemo, a potreba za administrativnom i financijskom podrškom postat će sve važnija. 

Radno mjesto bi mogla popuniti vanjska agencija koja pruža potrebne usluge ili zapošljavanjem administrativnog i financijskog službenika kao dijela tima ureda LIFE-a u Bruxellesu. Željeli bismo istražiti obje mogućnosti.

Radno okruženje i opseg posla

Ured programa LIFE u Bruxellesu odgovoran je za održavanje odnosa s europskim institucijama (Komisija, Parlament itd.), s članovima programa LIFE (udruge malih ribara), za koordinaciju aktivnosti, za upravljanje projektima, knjigovodstvo i računovodstvo te za vođenje evidencije. LIFE se mora pridržavati belgijskog zakonodavstva koje regulira neprofitne udruge (asbls), uz godišnje podnošenje financijskih i drugih izvješća belgijskim vlastima. 

Od početka pandemije Covida, LIFE je usvojio fleksibilan pristup radu od kuće/teleradu. Naše sjedište je registrirano na adresi u Bruxellesu gdje imamo dogovorene coworking aranžmane, kao i pristup sobama za sastanke i drugim sadržajima prema potrebi. 

Administrativni i financijski službenik/vanjska agencija radit će kao dio tima koji pomaže u osiguravanju nesmetanog odvijanja aktivnosti programa LIFE. Posebno će on/ona/oni pružati administrativnu podršku tekućem radu programa LIFE i nekoliko novih projekata u koje će se program LIFE sve više angažirati u nadolazećem razdoblju.

Tečno znanje engleskog i francuskog jezika je neophodno; poznavanje drugih europskih jezika je prednost.

Važan dio posla bit će razvoj učinkovitog, ali jednostavnog sustava knjigovodstva te učinkovito praćenje prihoda i rashoda u odnosu na proračune. Dobro poznavanje knjigovodstvenih sustava općenito je ključno. Poznavanje projekata financiranih od strane EU (Horizon, Interreg, EMFAF itd.) i belgijskih zahtjeva za financijsko izvještavanje (Moniteur Belge/MinFin) bit će značajna prednost. 

Informacije o raznolikosti: LIFE je relativno mala organizacija koju vode ribari za ribare. Mali tim muškog i ženskog osoblja uključuje dva zaposlenika LIFE-a sa sjedištem u Bruxellesu (savjetnika za politiku i višeg službenika za komunikacije), koordinatora za Baltičko i Sjeverno more sa sjedištem u Švedskoj i izvršnog tajnika sa sjedištem u Barceloni.

Zapošljavanje osoblja temelji se na iskustvu, motivaciji, kvalifikacijama i dokazanim sposobnostima. 

LIFE ne diskriminira po dobi, spolu, rasi, religiji, seksualnosti ili socioekonomskoj klasi.   

Više informacija o LIFE-u možete pronaći na našoj web stranici www.lifeplatform.eu .

 

GLAVNA PODRUČJA ODGOVORNOSTI

Nositelj radnog mjesta odgovara izvršnom tajniku, a glavna područja odgovornosti navedena su u nastavku

Administracija/Tajništvo

(a) Razviti sustav/e za obradu narudžbi i računa, organiziranje obračuna plaća, vođenje evidencije o rashodima i praćenje prihoda i rashoda u odnosu na proračune

(b) Održavati i razvijati LIFE-ove knjigovodstvene, računovodstvene i financijske sustave izvještavanja kako bi se zadovoljili zahtjevi mnoštva donatora/projekata 

(c) Odabrati odgovarajuće računovodstvene softverske pakete, npr. WinBooks, Odoo itd., za praćenje prihoda i rashoda te generiranje financijskih izvješća i upravljačke nadzorne ploče

(d) Izrađivati izvješća o projektu prema potrebi, u skladu s određenim rokovima donatora i tijela za dodjelu bespovratnih sredstava.

(e) Izrađivati godišnja financijska izvješća u skladu sa zahtjevima belgijskog zakona (izvještavanje Ministarstvu financija/Moniteur Belge) od 2025. 

(f) Podrška za svakodnevnu administraciju, putnu logistiku i organizaciju događaja

 

SPECIFIKACIJA OSOBE

U nastavku su navedeni uvjeti potrebni za obavljanje ovog posla. Odabir kandidata temeljit će se na stupnju u kojem su ti uvjeti ispunjeni.

Administracija/Tajništvo/Računovodstvo/Financije

∙ Dokazano iskustvo na srodnoj poziciji

∙ Iskustvo rada s minimalnim nadzorom 

∙ Iskustvo i poznavanje Microsoft Office softverskih paketa (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint itd.), knjigovodstvenih softvera (Winbooks, Odoo itd.) i sustava za video konferencije (Zoom, Teams itd.)

∙ Iskustvo u vođenju sastanaka, uključujući vođenje zapisnika

∙ Iskustvo s administrativnim potrebama i potrebama izvještavanja u okviru EU projekata (Horizon, Interreg, EMFAF itd.)

∙ Iskustvo/poznavanje belgijskih službenih zahtjeva za kodiranje računa i knjigovodstvo (Moniteur Belge/MinFin)

∙ Iskustvo rada u sličnoj organizaciji

Komunikacija

∙ Visok standard pismenih i usmenih komunikacijskih vještina

∙ Tečno znanje engleskog i francuskog jezika (pismeno i usmeno)

∙ Tečno znanje/kompetencija (pismeno i usmeno) drugih jezika EU-a je prednost

Osobne kvalitete

∙ Visok stupanj motivacije i profesionalnosti

∙ Izvrsne međuljudske vještine i vještine timskog rada

∙ Poštivanje povjerljivosti u svakom trenutku

∙ Pažnja prema detaljima, posebno kada su u pitanju knjigovodstveni zadaci

∙ Sposobnost razvijanja učinkovitih radnih odnosa na svim razinama i preuzimanja vodećih uloga

∙ Sposobnost rada bez nadzora i s visokom razinom inicijative

∙ Proaktivan, kreativan i fleksibilan u pronalaženju rješenja za probleme

∙ Sposobnost održavanja smirenosti i ispunjavanja kratkih rokova pod pritiskom

∙ Brzo upija informacije i uči nove vještine

 Fleksibilnost i pouzdanost

∙ Spremnost na povremeni rad u neslužbene sate ako je potrebno

∙ Spremnost na putovanja unutar Europe ako je potrebno

 

PLAĆA I UVJETI

Sa sjedištem u Bruxellesu, sposoban za rad prema belgijskom zakonu i odmah dostupan. 

Paket plaća primjeren kvalifikacijama, vještinama i iskustvu:

Oko 2.500 eura mjesečno (uključujući plaćeni godišnji odmor; naknade za: putovanje; bonove za obroke; GSM + pretplatu; korištenje prijenosnog računala).

Naknada vanjskom izvođaču radova prema pruženim uslugama. 

Nudimo fleksibilne mogućnosti rada, što vam omogućuje rad od kuće ili ureda, ovisno o vašim potrebama.

Za dodatne informacije i prijave kontaktirajteBrian O'Riordan, deputy@lifeplatform.eu

 

Molimo vas da pošaljete motivacijsko pismo i životopis na deputy@lifeplatform.eu do isteka roka za prijave: 3. listopada 2025.

 

A significant policy development in Denmark is set to strengthen small-scale, low-impact fisheries through the introduction of a new quota retention scheme. This long-anticipated measure aligns closely with the objectives of our Danish member organisation, FSK-PO (Foreningen for Skånsomt Kystfiskeri).

The recent political agreement entitled “En ny kurs for dansk fiskeri“ (A New Course for Danish Fisheries) introduces a provision to retain fishing quotas within the national small-scale fisheries segment. This applies specifically to vessels measuring less than 17 metres in length and up to 50 GT. The measure constitutes a major advancement for local, sustainable fishing practices.

The scheme guarantees that once a quota is allocated to small-scale operators, it cannot be transferred out to industrial fleets. Once fishers join the scheme, they are required to trade their quotas with another small-scale fisher within the system, ensuring that the quota remains available for the future. For the next two years, however, fishers participating in the ‘open part’ of the scheme retain the option to exit and take their quota with them, provided they also withdraw completely from the small-scale sector.. This curbs the ability of larger operators to acquire and consolidate quotas, a trend that has eroded the viability of small-scale fishing communities across Europe. At the same time, it allows for quota transfers among small-scale fishing operators, thus enabling succession, adaptability, and resilience.

This retention framework directly addresses long-standing concerns raised by both LIFE and FSK-PO. It aims to ensure equitable access to fisheries resources for low-impact, small-scale operators. Furthermore, it supports the economic revitalisation of coastal communities and reinforces Denmark’s commitment to environmentally responsible fishing practices.

FSK-PO has played a pivotal role in advocating for this policy change. The organisation has issued a detailed statement in support of the new quota retention measure while emphasising the need for strong implementation and meaningful follow-through.

In particular, FSK-PO underline that it is essential for the quota retention mechanism to be genuinely binding and not subject to loopholes such as temporary registration or circumvention through shell companies. Additionally, incentives must be introduced to encourage fishers to remain within the small-scale segment—this includes support for gear innovation, marketing, and infrastructure. Finally, transparency in the administration of quota registries is vital for maintaining public confidence and ensuring accountability in the system.

This Danish initiative sets a significant precedent at the European level. It demonstrates that safeguarding quotas for low-impact fishers is both feasible and politically achievable. Moreover, it reflects a broader shift towards an ecosystem-based and socially responsible approach to fisheries governance, and offers a potential model for replication in other Member States.

LIFE will continue to monitor the implementation of this Danish scheme to ensure that it delivers tangible benefits to coastal communities and support its member organisations in promoting improvement in quota management frameworks across the European Union. 

Diljem EU-a ribari se suočavaju sa strogim kontrolnim mjerama. Kapetan mora formalno prijaviti procijenjeni ulov, u smislu težine i vrste. Kada se ti iskrcaji kontroliraju, postoji granica tolerancije od 10% po vrsti, iako je ulovu iz Baltika dopuštena granica od 20%. To je dio europskih napora za borbu protiv ilegalnog ribolova i osiguravanje točnijeg izvješćivanja o ulovu za upravljanje.

EU je usvojila svoj novi Uredba o kontroli ribarstva u 2024. sa strožim pravilima za prijavljivanje ulova za sve ribare. Međutim, plovila s najvećim miješanim i nesortiranim ulovom, uglavnom namijenjenim tvornicama ribljeg brašna, a zatim izvezenim izvan Unije, dobila su izuzeće od zahtjeva za prijavljivanje margine tolerancije od strane Komisije, pod uvjetom da iskrcaju u jednoj od sedam navedenih luka. 

Sve se ove luke nalaze u baltičkim državama članicama, šest u Danskoj i jedna u Latviji. Danska je zemlja EU-a s najvećim obujmom iskrcaja, a Komisija je sada dodatno potaknula neselektivni ribolov koćaricama putem odredbi o navedenim lukama.  

Prema Komisiji, „granica tolerancije je najveća dopuštena razlika između procjena ulova kapetana ribarskih plovila i stvarne težine ulovljene ribe. Odstupanje (navedenih luka) omogućuje operaterima da imaju koristi od fleksibilnijeg pristupa izvješćivanju o ulovu u brodskim dnevnikima prilikom iskrcaja u navedenim lukama.“

Kao što je LIFE već izvijestio u ovom članak, ovo izuzeće nesrazmjerno koristi velikim plovilima koja iskrcavaju velike količine ulova niske vrijednosti - posebno onima u sektoru ribljeg brašna - omogućujući im da zaobiđu strože zahtjeve izvješćivanja. Ovaj nepravedan sustav stavlja druge segmente flote u konkurentski nepovoljan položaj i izaziva ozbiljnu zabrinutost oko transparentnosti i održivosti, naglašavajući potrebu za jednakim uvjetima u industriji.

Trenutno se Komisija odlučila osloniti na neučinkovite metode za mjerenje prilova, sustav daljinskog elektroničkog praćenja (REM) koji koristi CCTV video kamere. Oni su na snazi već dugi niz godina i nisu se pokazali učinkovitima u točnom izvještavanju o prilovu, a kamoli u analizi sastava vrsta nesortiranih malih pelagičnih riba. 

LIFE se zalaže za korištenje učinkovitijih, modernijih tehnika kontrole poput eDNA za procjenu sastava vrsta u nesortiranim miješanim pelagičnim ulovima. U Baltiku bi se trebala koristiti za praćenje i identifikaciju prilova, posebno bakalara i lososa. DTU Aqua provodi istraživanja i ispitivanja ove tehnologije već nekoliko godina, a regionalni forum za ribarstvo Baltičkog mora (BaltFish) stručna skupina za kontrolu također je raspravljao o njegovoj primjeni. Iako Dodatni rad potreban je za razvoj modela putem kojeg podaci eDNA mogu dati procjene biomase. Takav sustav omogućio bi točnu procjenu ukupne biomase vrsta prilova, što se već pokazalo učinkovitijim od CCTV-a, posebno za identifikaciju prisutnosti lososa i bakalara u nesortiranim miješanim pelagičnim ulovima. Stoga bi takvi testovi trebali biti obvezni za sva iskrcavanja u lukama s popisa.

Prilov lososa

Losos je vrijedna komercijalna vrsta u Baltiku, suočava se s višestrukim izazovima i hitno joj je potrebno učinkovito očuvanje i upravljanje. Veliko područje zabrinutosti je značajan, ali često zanemaren usputni ulov lososa u industrijskim pelagičnim ulovima. Prema Radnoj skupini za procjenu baltičkog lososa i pastrve ICES-a (ICES 2011., WGBAST), procjene su pokazale da oko 0,1% ukupnog ulova može činiti losos u tim industrijskim ribolovima. To odgovara otprilike 100 000 lososa godišnje. Za usporedbu, ukupna kvota za losos za cijelo Baltičko more za 2025. godinu iznosila je oko 45 000 lososa. Pelagični brodovi obično nemaju kvotu za lososa i stoga bi im trebalo zabraniti ribolov u područjima gdje je vjerojatno da će ga uzeti kao prilov. 

Uz švedsku obalu postoji oko 40 jedinstvenih populacija lososa. Međutim, nekoliko tih populacija je u dubokoj krizi, a nedavno smo svjedočili nizu alarmantna izvješća s rijeka gdje je ribolov zaustavljen ili ozbiljno ograničen zbog rekordno niskih migracija. 

Neuspjehom u prikupljanju točnih podataka o prilovu komercijalno i ekološki važnih vrsta poput lososa i bakalara, Komisija daje prioritet industrijskom ribolovu nad očuvanjem ribarstva, ozbiljno ugrožavajući budućnost ribarstva te privilegirajući jedan segment flote (riblje brašno), dok kažnjava drugi (za ljudsku prehranu) i zajednice koje o njemu ovise. 

Vidimo hitnu potrebu za modernim, neovisnim i učinkovitim kontrolama pelagičnog ribolova te potičemo da se bez odgode uvede program kontrole temeljen na eDNK.

Stoga pozivamo švedsku vladu, koja trenutno predsjedava regionalnim upravljačkim tijelom Baltfish, da što prije unutar grupe pokrene Zajedničku preporuku za to.  

Moramo djelovati odmah – imamo alate i smiješno je i dalje zatvarati oči pred ovim važnim ribama koje nestaju i izvedenim društvenim posljedicama.

LIFE Members gathered at the European Parliament alongside MEPs and key stakeholders to push for fairer access to resources and support for low-impact fishing. The event, hosted by LIFE and Blue Ventures, highlighted the vital role of the “forgotten fleet.” It comes at a crucial time as the EU reviews the effectiveness of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Learn more about it in the official PR here

 

Press review:

Fishing Daily

Industrias Pesqueras

The Skipper

Fisker Forum 

We are aquaculture

Mundus Maris