During a high-level meeting on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stressed that future reforms should better reflect the different realities of Member States, in particular those of peripheral islands like Gozo.
He argued that “coastal and small island communities must be at the centre of discussions on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy so that the policy remains relevant and continues to strengthen the viability and resilience of the fisheries sector as well as the sustainability and development of communities, especially those located on the periphery.”
Minister Camilleri addressed a high-level European meeting entitled “Charting CFP Reform to Secure the Future of Europe’s Fisheries and Coastal Communities,” organised by the Regional Government of Galicia and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) hosted by the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels.
The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission, regional authorities and stakeholders from the sector to discuss the future of the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Union’s vision for the sector until 2040, the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the financial priorities for the period 2028-2034.
Minister Clint Camilleri explained how Gozo has a ”direct interest” in the future of European fisheries policy, ”as a healthy marine environment is closely linked to the prosperity of the island where fishing, aquaculture, tourism and other maritime activities play a crucial role in supporting and promoting economic growth.”
He stated that “Gozo supports a sustainable tourism and fisheries sector that protects the coastal environment, preserves healthy marine ecosystems, supports local communities and ensures long-term economic sustainability.”
He noted however, that the the transition towards sustainability ”must be carried out in a way that fully reflects the different realities of Member States, particularly islands such as Gozo, which face distinct geographical and structural constraints that require tailor-made approaches and adequate support.”
Minister Camilleri stated that any shift towards more sustainable energy sources in the fisheries sector must be realistic and carefully calculated. Regarding the energy transition in the fisheries sector, Minister Camilleri stressed that this should be a realistic and gradual one.
He explained that support measures should remain flexible enough to reflect the operational realities of fishermen, in particular those of small-scale fleets.
The Gozo Minister called on the Commission to avoid a uniform, “one-size-fits-all” approach in the future Common Fisheries Policy and said that management decisions should be proportionate and evidence-based in particular for regions such as Gozo, where the fishing fleet is mainly made up of small-scale and artisanal fisheries.
The Minister also stressed the need for the European Union to ensure adequate funding to support fishermen and coastal communities in the ongoing climate, environmental and energy transitions. He argued that ”regional authorities have an essential role in designing policies that reflect the real needs of territories and maritime communities.”
Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that at present, fully carbon neutral technologies are not yet widely available, especially for small fishing vessels. ”Therefore, it is essential that the energy transition roadmap remains gradual, realistic and based on concrete evidence.”
Photo: MFG