Multiannual recovery plan for Bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean

PURPOSE: to update the multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2016/1627 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 302/2009

CONTENT: the new Regulation improves the multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean currently in force.

The recovery plan applies from 2007 to 2022.  It was recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (‘ICCAT’), an inter-governmental fishery organisation responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas. The EU is a contracting party to ICCAT.

The objective of the Regulation is to achieve a biomass of bluefin tuna corresponding to the maximum sustainable yield by 2022 with at least a 60 % probability of achieving that objective.

Implementation of the plan: the Regulation transposes into Union law measures adopted by ICCAT in 2012, 2013 and 2014, these being:

• Recommendation 12-03 which sets up: (i) technical measures concerning the transfer and caging operations of live bluefin tuna; (ii) new catch reporting requirements; (iii) the implementation of the ICCAT regional observer programme and (iv) changes of the fishing seasons;
• Recommendation 13-07 and 13-08 which (i) introduces small changes on fishing seasons which do not affect the Union fleet; (ii) sets up a common procedure for the use of stereoscopical camera systems to estimate the quantities of bluefin tuna at the point of caging and (iii) introduces a flexible starting date for the fishing season of baitboats and trolling boats in the eastern Atlantic;
• Recommendation 14-04, which (i) rationalises some of the existing control provisions; (ii) specifies the procedures for the use of stereoscopic camera at the point of caging; (iii) introduces measures specific to release operations and the treatment of dead fish in the recovery plan.

Gear and fishing techniques: the recovery plan takes into account the specificities of the different types of gear and fishing techniques. When implementing the recovery plan, the Union and Member States will endeavour to promote coastal fishing activities and the use of fishing gear and techniques which are selective and have a reduced environmental impact, including gear and techniques used in traditional and artisanal fisheries, thereby contributing to a fair standard of living for local economies.

Sport and recreational fishing: for these activities, no more than one bluefin tuna shall be caught per vessel per day.

Any bluefin tuna landed shall be whole, gilled and/or gutted. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, the release of bluefin tuna, especially juveniles, caught alive in the framework of sport and recreational fishing.

The marketing of bluefin tuna caught during sport and recreational fishing is prohibited.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 06.10.2016.