CFP reform represents 'golden opportunity' for fishing commission

Joe Borg says the EU must over problems it "inherited" from the past before it can implement reform of its fisheries policy. 

But Borg, the EU fisheries and maritime affairs commissioner, said he remains confident about the future of the European fishing sector.

In April, the commission launched a public consultation, which will run until the end of the year, on the future of common fisheries policy (CFP).

Speaking at a debate in Brussels on Tuesday, Borg described its fisheries green paper as an "ambitious" attempt by the commission to start a fundamental reform of the CFP.

"We have already made some inroads in the sector, such as phasing out destructive fishing practices," said the Maltese official.

One of the "core" objectives of the reform process, he said, was to make the EU a "more forceful" player in the fisheries sector.

"Better cooperation between scientists, policymakers and stakeholders will be crucial in making a reformed CFP work.

"The green paper raises many questions, including compliance with the rules and anti-discard measures."

The reform acknowledges that the CFP has, so far, failed to deal with the depletion of fish stocks and that over-capacity  persists in Europe's fishing fleets.

He said,"This is not just another reform but should be a quantum leap for the CFP. I have no doubt that European fisheries has a future but, first, we must overcome a number of weaknesses the EU has inherited from the past."

The debate was organised by the European Policy Centre, a leading Brussels-based think tank.

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