Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Reform

The Common Fisheries Policy is Europe’s regulatory regime governing fisheries in EU waters.

Each Member State is given an annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that is distributed so each country has relative stability of fishing activities. More recent controls have involved limits on fishing efforts and technical conservation measures.

The Policy has been criticised by some as being top down, over centralised and having only at best a mixed performance in managing Europe’s fisheries.

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

The European Commission published a Green Paper in April 2009, seeking views on proposed reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Scottish Government published its response to this on December 21, 2009.

The Green Paper highlights a number of issues experienced by Europe’s fisheries including:

• Overcapacity
• Integrating fisheries policy with other marine policies
• The need to reduce short term management and introduce long term objectives
• How to promote a greater industry contribution to, and responsibility for, the management of fisheries

The Scottish Government’s response has been informed by the Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management (IFFM) Interim Report and meetings and workshops with stakeholders and partners. Along with these, the Scottish Government co-hosted an international conference of experts in November.

• View the findings from the workshops

The Scottish Government also worked with the other devolved administrations and the UK Government to develop a UK response to the Green Paper.

Of equal importance were the views of the public and comments on this topic from across Scotland were welcomed.

For further information contact: james.muldoon@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Category: Scottish Government News