Despite numerous warnings and scientific studies, EU countries are still catching too much fish in the North Sea. In particular, British, Dutch, German, and Danish fishermen are still allowed to catch more fish than what scientific guidelines justify. Soon, new catch quotas must be set by the EU fisheries ministers.
Nearly half of the European fish quotas, which are meant to prevent overfishing, are too high, according to a recent Dutch environmental organization. The group points out that years ago the European Union decided that all fish quotas should be sustainable by January 1, 2020.
The criteria for “sustainable fishing” are established in the MSC label. This goes far beyond the standards many fishermen have used until now. Although fishermen usually adhere to weight quotas and catch limits, they often do not fully comply with the broader MSC rules.
The MSC standard also takes into account bycatch, seabed impact, and how the fishery is managed. The selection for the MSC label is strict, and earning it is often proof of “good practice” for participating fishermen.
Fisheries organizations from the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany have recently collaborated to recertify various fisheries under the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) sustainability label. The certificates were published last week.
For the Dutch fishery, the MSC certifications will be expanded. Not only the North Sea but soon part of the Skagerrak will be included in the certified catch area. Plaice and sole in the North Sea were already certified.
In December, the EU fisheries ministers will meet to set the catch quotas for the coming year. These quotas have been higher than scientists recommend for years. Due to overfishing, the cod population in the North Sea has, for example, already declined below a critical level, according to the research.
The Dutch environmental organization compared the advice given by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) with the catch limits ministers have set over recent years. Their conclusion is that nearly half of the fish quotas are still higher than the advised maximum. Some improvements have been made over the past decade, but according to the foundation, progress is too slow.
Even exceedances of a few percent can eventually lead to population declines. This harms the resilience of a fish species.