Newsroom

Fleet Report Shows Progress Towards More Sustainable Fleet Levels

16/11/2015

The Commission adopted the annual fleet report (2013) last week. The report shows that Member States are continuing to make progress in adjusting their fishing capacity and achieving a balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities.

On 1 January 2014, 86.879 vessels were registered in the EU fleet register, with an overall capacity of 1.658.033 gross tonnage (GT) and 6.573.806 KW. Compared to 2012, this represents a reduction of 7.8% in the number of vessels, and a reduction of 1.6% in GT and 5.4 % in KW (excluding vessels registered in Croatia and in the outermost regions).

A breakdown of the fleet situation by Member State shows that six Member States have identified fleet segments with structural overcapacity: Cyprus, Croatia, France, Italy, Latvia, and Spain. In response, and in line with new requirements under the EU’s reformed Common Fisheries Policy, they have developed action plans setting out measures and a timeline to address the imbalance and eliminate the identified structural overcapacity. Measures include decommissioning of vessels with public aid as well as more market-oriented mechanisms.

The action plans are a precondition for EU funding for Member States under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. It is the first time that Member States present such plans.

Excessive fishing power is a major driver for overfishing. The recent reform of the CFP obliges Member States to adjust the fishing capacity of their fleets to their fishing opportunities over time.