European fisheries have changed dramatically over recent decades. Fleets have become more efficient and the fishing capacity has improved significantly, but at a high price. Years of mismanagement have led to overfishing, bycatches and disgraceful discards. The European Commission has estimated that 80 percent of European stocks are overfished, and the Baltic Sea stocks are no exception.
Much blame has been attributed to the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Union´s
instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. Despite several reforms and reviews since its inception in the early 1970s, the policy is short of admirers.
The report from the studies has been produced by centre partner Baltic Nest together with Baltic Sea 2020 and was presented during the Brussels-based conference Achieving Sustainable Fisheries - learning from best practice in fisheries management.
The report is the result of a project which has gathered recognized scientists from natural, economic and social sciences, together with key stakeholders, to investigate known examples of successful management, trying to find potential solutions to the ongoing fisheries crises.
Following an opening address from Commission Borg of DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the report was presented by Mike Sissenwine from Woods Hole and David Symes from University of Hull.
See the presentation here (the presentation of the report starts at 00:36:00 into the video):
