Cetacean Bycatch Resource Center

EU Common Fisheries Policy

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union's instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. As stated on the CFP website, "because fish are a natural and mobile resource they are considered as common property."

The European Commission has been strongly criticized in recent years for failing to conserve fish stocks and marine species. In January 2003, the Commission adopted numerous reforms to the CFP. A multiannual management approach in the new policy replaces wildly fluctuating annual fish quotas in the old policy. The commission has also re-committed itself to an even application of the rules throughout the European Union.

As part of its reforms, the Commission now recognizes reducing cetacean bycatch, and incidental harm to other marine and bird species, as a top priority. A May 2002 communication sets out a Community Action Plan (PDF format) for integrating environmental considerations into the common fisheries policy, which states that in Summer 2003 the Commission will propose measures to minimise cetacean bycatch.
> CFP reform website
> CFP reform press release, October 2002

Agreement on Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS)

This agreement was developed through the UN Convention on Migratory Species and currently includes Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Additional countries with jurisdiction in the Baltic and North Seas may join this effort to address bycatch, habitat deterioration and anthropogenic disturbance.
  > ASCOBANS agreement (New York 1992, in force 1994)
  > ASCOBANS website
  > Recovery plan for Baltic harbour porpoises (Jastarnia Plan) - PDF
  > Report to ASCOBANS by A.J. Read: Potential mitigation measures for reducing by-catches of small cetaceans in ASCOBANS waters (PDF).
  > Report to ASCOBANS by K. Kaschner: Review of small cetacean bycatch in the ASCOBANS area and adjacent waters - current status and suggested future actions (PDF).

European Union Habitats

> Council Directive on the Conservation Of Natural Habitats And Of Wild Fauna And Flora - May 21, 1992




International Europe Southeast Asia North America United Kingdom		European Strategies & Policies EU Common Fisheries Policy The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union's instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. As stated on the CFP website, "because fish are a natural and mobile resource they are considered as common property." The European Commission has been strongly criticized in recent years for failing to conserve fish stocks and marine species. In January 2003, the Commission adopted numerous reforms to the CFP. A multiannual management approach in the new policy replaces wildly fluctuating annual fish quotas in the old policy. The commission has also re-committed itself to an even application of the rules throughout the European Union. As part of its reforms, the Commission now recognizes reducing cetacean bycatch, and incidental harm to other marine and bird species, as a top priority. A May 2002 communication sets out a Community Action Plan (PDF format) for integrating environmental considerations into the common fisheries policy, which states that in Summer 2003 the Commission will propose measures to minimise cetacean bycatch. > CFP reform website > CFP reform press release, October 2002 Agreement on Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) This agreement was developed through the UN Convention on Migratory Species and currently includes Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Additional countries with jurisdiction in the Baltic and North Seas may join this effort to address bycatch, habitat deterioration and anthropogenic disturbance. > ASCOBANS agreement (New York 1992, in force 1994) > ASCOBANS website > Recovery plan for Baltic harbour porpoises (Jastarnia Plan) - PDF > Report to ASCOBANS by A.J. Read: Potential mitigation measures for reducing by-catches of small cetaceans in ASCOBANS waters (PDF). > Report to ASCOBANS by K. Kaschner: Review of small cetacean bycatch in the ASCOBANS area and adjacent waters - current status and suggested future actions (PDF). European Union Habitats > Council Directive on the Conservation Of Natural Habitats And Of Wild Fauna And Flora - May 21, 1992

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