Common fisheries policy: Mette Gjerskov

Sustainable fisheries and ending discards are the Danish presidency’s key priorities for reform of the common fisheries policy, writes Mette Gjerskov.

The Danish presidency is working for a responsible, dynamic, green and safer Europe in order to prepare the EU for the future – economically, socially and environmentally. The common fisheries policy is the perfect testing ground for our green growth vision, as fisheries is a sector where the economy is very much dependent on the environment. The environmental aspects will be of utmost importance in the reform of the common fisheries policy. The reform proposal that was launched by commissioner Maria Damanaki in July 2011, focuses on ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the protection of ecosystems.

So, it is not solely about ensuring jobs and catches this year and next year. It is also about future earnings, it is about healthy maritime ecosystems and it is about high quality fish products for future consumers.

To ensure sustainable fisheries, we must address the problem of discards. The Danish presidency will strive to get rid of unwanted catches and try to bring discards to an end. We must not forget that discard is throwing fish back into the sea. Not alive but dead. This is a terrible waste of food and a waste of resources which endangers important stocks. In Denmark we are prepared – together with Sweden – to pioneer on a ban on discards. In November 2011, Denmark, Sweden and Norway signed a declaration banning discards in the Skagerrak strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden by 1 January 2013. I hope that the Danish-Swedish example will serve as inspiration for other EU member states. As chair of the European Agrifish council I will, however, be open towards other ways of attaining our goal.

When negotiating the reform of the common fisheries policy, cooperation with the European parliament is of great importance. I recently presented the programme of the Danish presidency to the European parliament’s fisheries committee, and I intend to maintain close contact with the committee during Denmark’s six month presidency.

Finally, I wish to emphasise the external dimension – “the foreign policy” within the common fisheries policy. This is also part of the commission’s proposal, and the Danish presidency will work to ensure that fisheries partnership agreements are based on the same standards as those applicable to the EU’s own waters. We must make sure that EU fishermen only fish available surplus stocks, and the agreements must also benefit the countries we make agreements with. The EU has a responsibility when it comes to the poorer countries of the world, and strategic decisions in fisheries must not be made without considering the potential side effects for less developed areas of the world. Healthy maritime ecosystems and jobs in the fisheries sector are matters of concern both inside and outside the EU.

Mette Gjerskov is Denmark's food, agriculture and fisheries minister and chairs the EU Agrifish council