Press Release: Mediterranean Fisheries: sustainable fishing practices cannot be postponed

Over 54% of the Mediterranean fish stocks which have been analysed by scientists are found to be overfished on. To remedy this situation, the EU adopted, back in 2006, the 'Mediterranean Regulation' which aims to improve fisheries management in order to achieve sustainable fisheries, protect the fragile marine environment and restore fish stocks to healthy levels. It applies to EU member states around the Mediterranean. To allow Member States time to get prepared for the implementation of this Regulation, a long transition period of 3 years was agreed for a number of its provisions. As of 1 June 2010, the Regulation is fully in force and must be implemented by the Member States concerned. However, Member States so far have largely failed to take all necessary measures to ensure full implementation and the Commission deeply regrets this. The Commission called on 8 June 2010 on Member States, to urgently take action, through the application of measures based on science and aiming a high degree of sustainability.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/243:Questions and Answers on the Mediterranean Fisheries Regulation http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/243&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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