WWF - Publications

WWF Analysis: Recovery of European fish stocks and the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

2013-06-03

New scientific analysis from environmental organisation WWF, "Recovery of European fish stocks and the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy", reveals recovery of European fish stocks will take more than 100 years under current proposals by EU Fisheries Ministers.

Two out of three fish stocks in European waters are considered overfished. Ambitious reform of Europe's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) could reverse this situation over the next 10 years. But core elements of the reform package relating to discards, subsidies and stock recovery are under dispute, and negotiations between the European Parliament and Fisheries Ministers over what shape future EU fishing laws should take, may collapse.

Parliament wants to reduce fishing activity to allow stock recovery by 2020, with stock size and catches managed according to the principle of 'maximum sustainable yield' (MSY). WWF analysis suggests implementation of Parliament's ambitious proposals, could result in the recovery of three-quarters of overfished European stocks within the next 10 years.

WWF Fish Campaign newsletter - May 2013

2013-05-02

As part of WWF's campaign for a future sustainable Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), we have created a newsletter aimed at raising awareness of our campaign activity and to inform stakeholders and decision-makers about the different aspects of the reform proposal and our key asks.

The newsletter is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Polish.

Overfishing: you can end it! - NGO briefing

2013-01-23

Overfishing is damaging the marine environment and threatens the viability of communities that depend on fishing. Europe's fish populations are in a worse shape than most – with 47 percent of Atlantic and around 90 percent of Mediterranean stocks considered overfished. Europe has lost around 30 percent of its fishing jobs in the last decade, yet the fleet's fishing power has increased. As stocks have declined, Europe has become increasingly dependent on imports, aquaculture and foreign fishing grounds.

But it is not too late: The on-going reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the first big opportunity for the European Parliament to co-legislate on fisheries. In December, the Fisheries Committee took a momentous step towards turning the tide on overfishing in Europe, by agreeing to a strong and well-designed set of reform proposals that could overhaul the EU's failed fisheries policy.

NGOs recommend that you support overall the Fisheries Committee proposal for reform so as to deliver long-lasting benefits for Europe's citizens, fishermen and the marine environment.

WWF Fish Campaign newsletter - November 2012

2012-11-15

Socio-economic benefits of a bold EU Fisheries reform

2012-10-16

The study carried out by Framian BV and commissioned by WWF, examines the potential social and economic benefits of the fisheries sector from a purely EU perspective, providing strong arguments for an ambitious reform of Europe's fisheries.

The paper demonstrates that if we allow fish stocks to recover, just 10 years from now in 2022, we could start seeing huge benefits compared to continuing past trends:

EU fishermen could land an additional 2.8 million tons of sustainably caught fish - an increase of around 80%
The fisheries sector could generate an extra income of €2.1 billion per year - around 80% more
Across the EU, income per fisherman could be up to 50% higher on average than it is today

Over the past 15 years, EU fisheries have been in continuous decline. Landings and employment have been falling at a steady rate of 4% per year and fishermen's incomes have stagnated.

The discussion paper draws some stark conclusions for the future if the status quo continues. With no strong fisheries reform, by 2022:

EU fishermen could land 1.4 million tons of fish less compared to 2009 - about 30% less
EU fishing fleets could decrease by as much as 20%
50,000 fishermen will have lost their jobs across the EU – that's a 30% drop in employment, compared to 2009

Source of the article

WWF priority demands to the EU Cypriot Presidency 1 July – 31 December 2012

2012-06-25

This document presents WWF priority demands to the Cypriot Presidency in relation to the following policy areas:

1. EU Budget Reform

2. Climate and Energy Policies

3. Biodiversity Policy

4. Reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

5. EU Water Policy

6. European Development Policy

WWF is looking forward to working with the Cypriot Presidency and the EU institutions to ensure that our key asks within these priorities are achieved.

WWF More Fish Campaign newsletter - May 2012

2012-05-29

A newsletter is sent to all 736 MEPs to raise awareness about the importance of this once-in-a-decade opportunity for reform and inform them about the different aspects of the reform proposal.

Common Fisheries Policy Reform: delivering a regional approach to fisheries management

2012-04-16

WWF's vision is one where fisheries are managed by ecosystem based management plans which aim to meet objectives and targets set centrally by the European Union and delivered jointly by the relevant Member States with the full involvement of fishermen and other key stakeholders.

Position Paper: Tackling by-catch and discards under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

2012-02-28

Unwanted catches and related discards are a major problem in many European fisheries, and one that the reformed CFP must tackle effectively in order to move to a long-term sustainable future for the marine environment, the species within it, and the people who depend on them. Experience has shown that this problem, like many others, will not be solved by one-size-fits-all stand-alone measures, due to the great variety of fisheries in the EU.

Sorting Myth from Fact

2012-02-27

Difficult decisions lie ahead if we are to undo the effects of three decades of disastrous fisheries management in Europe. In order to fully understand the challenge faced in reforming the Common Fisheries Policy, we must expose some strongly-held beliefs regarding fisheries policy which have no basis in fact. The truth is that these myths stand in the way of successful reform. Find out more in the attached report (right).

Getting MSY right

2012-02-01

The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for a given fish stock means the highest possible annual catch that can be sustained over time, by keeping the stock at the level producing maximum growth. Download position paper to read more.

WWF More Fish Campaign newsletter - January 2012

2012-01-24

As part of its campaign to see ambitious reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), WWF is calling on the European Parliament to exert its co-decision powers in order to achieve the best possible reform.

A newsletter is sent to all 736 MEPs to raise awareness about the importance of this once-in-a-decade opportunity for reform and inform them about the different aspects of the reform proposal.

Regionalising the Common Fisheries Policy. Discussion paper.

2012-01-20

This discussion paper is meant to encourage debate on the concept of regional fisheries management, particularly in a EU context, and explore potential reform scenarios for the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

WWF Priority Demands to the Danish Presidency

2012-01-02

This document presents WWF priority proposals to achieve a smart,resource efficient and low-carbon European economy, respecting the ecological limits of the planet.

Reforming EU Fisheries Subsidies

2011-10-07

In times of financial austerity, the ineffectiveness of fisheries aid is brought into sharp focus as is the overall cost to society of both fisheries subsidies and broader fisheries management failures.

The European Commission and EU decision-makers have an unparalleled opportunity in the ongoing CFP reform process and the preparations for the next EU budget period 2014-2020 to take effective and necessary steps in order to meet the goals of increasing resource efficiency and halting biodiversity loss by 2020. Anything less will contribute to the continued decline of European and global marine and freshwater ecosystems as well as the European fisheries sector.

WWF along with Greenpeace, Oceana, OCEAN 2012, BirdLife Europe and Seas at Risk produced a joint discussion paper looking at the failed promises to reduce fleet overcapacity during the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002.

WWF More Fish Campaign newsletter - September 2011

2011-09-20

WWF comments on the Common Fisheries Policy proposal

2011-09-07

The proposals for the new CFP released on July 13th 2011 demonstrate that the Commission has attempted to addresses many of the issues that are vital to achieve sustainable EU fisheries. WWF believes the proposal offers some welcome improvements on present fisheries management. However there are several important elements lacking in the proposal.

WWF Priority Demands to the Polish Presidency

2011-07-25

The start of the Polish presidency sets a series of decisive reforms for the EU into play: from the preparation of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 to the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Cohesion Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), to the Resource Efficiency Roadmap. The next 18 months will reveal if the EU-27 is finally making the necessary reforms needed to allow the EU to move towards a sustainable, smart, resource efficient and low-carbon economy, whilst respecting the ecological limits of the world.

A First Reaction to the CFP Reform Proposal

2011-07-13

It is clear that we need an ambitious CFP reform to ensure fish stocks recover and Europe's fisheries return to prosperity. However, our initial analysis of the CFP reform proposal, as delivered by the European Commission, is that it lacks ambition and leaves the challenge of saving Europe's fisheries to the European Parliament and Member States. The document presents an assessment of how the proposal compares to the main priorities that WWF believed it should deliver (see download).

No increase in blind spending. NGOs & OCEAN2012 oppose increase fuel subsidies to fisheries sector

2011-05-11

Selected Members of the EU Parliament have called for an increase op possible de minimis aid to the fisheries sector, mainly to provide fuel subsidies to the fisheries sector at a time of rising fuel prices. This is in strong contradiction with the EU's commitment to eliminate environmentally harmful subsidies but, more importantly, granting more public money to the fisheries sector without a clear link to delivering public goods would send a perverse signal during the discussion on the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). NGOs and the OCEAN2012 coalition oppose an increase of the de minimis ceiling. To read more, download the full position paper.