SEGOLENE ROYAL SUPPORTS THE TRAWLING BAN BEYOND 800M & ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION

USPA NEWS - Segolene Royal, having made public in July 2014, IFREMER data on deep-sea fishing, and taking into account the views of stakeholders and parliamentary debates on biodiversity law, defended today significant steps to protect the seabed and vulnerable ecosystems. These measures have been adopted by UE

Segolene Royal, having made public in July 2014, IFREMER data on deep-sea fishing, and taking into account the views of stakeholders and parliamentary debates on biodiversity law, defended today significant steps to protect the seabed and vulnerable ecosystems. These measures have been adopted today by the member states of the European Union. It's about :---- - The prohibition of bottom trawl below 800 meters depth, to fight against the destruction of particularly sensitive seabeds because they take many years to regenerate;------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - The "freeze the footprint" over 800 meters deep, that is to say, the cantonment fishing for deep-sea species (eg pomegranate, black scabbard ...) for areas already fished to avoid extension of that fishery;----------------------------------------------------------- - The prohibition of fishing for deep-sea species in any area where the presence of vulnerable ecosystems is confirmed or probable;------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - The obligation for all vessels encountering vulnerable marine ecosystems (water corals, sponges ...) beyond 400 meters deep to get away from these ecosystems and to report the presence for the closure of this zone fishing with bottom gears. Segolene Royal hopes that the discussions which will now take place between the Presidency of the Council of Fisheries Ministers, the European Parliament and the European Commission will enable to consolidate these results and enhance the environmental ambition to consolidate a responsible European fisheries and sustainable and place the EU in the forefront position in the world, in ecosystem-based management of fisheries.--------------------------------------------------------------------- These discussions will be regular in a transparent dialogue with stakeholders in environmental dialogue and actors from the world of fishing.