Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

The European fishing sector is facing a severe economic crisis, and many fish stocks are in a state of grave depletion. The European Commission launched a debate on the future of fisheries by publishing a Green Paper on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in April 2009. A full-scale reform is proposed, aimed at creating an ecologically sustainable industry. European stakeholders showed a strong interest, answering in numbers to the consultation. The Commission will analyze these responses, and will submit to the European Parliament and the Council a new fisheries basic regulation to be adopted by end 2012.