https://dafv.de/projekte/europaarbeit/item/562-umdenken-beim-management-des-europaeischen-aals

The DAFV (German Fishing Association) responds to recent changes by the EU commission and member states on the management of the European eel:

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“We are pleased to note that the EU member states have obviously changed their minds. In the past, the majority of member states have focused on reducing fishing mortality, criminally neglecting non-fishing mortalities as a cause of stock decline. It is now a matter of translating the new boost in motivation into appropriate management measures – and, even more importantly, implementing them consistently!”

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Read the full post in German here. See below for an English translation:

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Rethinking management of the European eel

On Monday, September 26, 2022, the fisheries ministers of the European member states met in Brussels to discuss fisheries issues. The European eel was also on the agenda again this time. The public hearing entitled “Future for European eel stock and those depending on it” can be viewed here with a German translation.

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ICES and consultation of EU Advisory Councils
In response to the annual ICES catch recommendation, the European Commission asked its competent EU Advisory Councils for an opinion in spring 2022. A blanket ban on fishing was rejected by all EU advisory councils (advisory councils: Baltic Sea, North Sea and Northwest Atlantic and the Mediterranean). As a result of this consultation, the Commission also asked EU member states for their comments and provided them with a background paper ahead of the September 26 meeting (available here ). In its background paper, the Commission makes it clear that fisheries, ecological and socio-economic aspects must be taken into account when identifying measures to strengthen eel stocks.

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The positions of the European member states
A blanket fishing ban was only discussed by the member states that implemented it many years ago (Ireland and Slovenia). The other member states, on the other hand, do not see a blanket ban on fishing as the solution to the complex problems that undoubtedly exist with the implementation of the EU eel regulation. Rather, representatives of the member states attached great importance to making it clear that the complex problems can only be solved with foresight and a holistic approach.

“The state of the eel stock is still worrying and Germany is therefore committed to strengthening eel protection. A holistic and integrative approach that takes into account all habitats and life phases as well as all mortality factors is of particular importance. We therefore welcome the background paper. A restriction or ban on eel fishing is only of limited benefit to the stock if the eel is exposed to considerable mortality pressure elsewhere, such as from hydropower. From a German point of view, the EU eel regulation is suitable and should be further developed, with particular attention to a holistic and integrated approach. The socio-economic importance of eel fishing varies between the member states and is very high in some regions of Germany.(…)” said the representative from Germany.

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DAFV welcomes the rethinking of the European member states
” We are pleased to note that the EU member states have obviously changed their minds. In the past, the majority of member states have focused on reducing fishing mortality, criminally neglecting non-fishing mortalities as a cause of stock decline. It is now a matter of translating the new boost in motivation into appropriate management measures – and, even more importantly, implementing them consistently!” says Florian Stein, eel expert at the German Anglers’ Association.

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