The management of fishing fleets in outermost regions : research for PECH Committee

The Committee on Fisheries (PECH) has requested scientific input contributing to its work on an Own Initiative Report on The Management of Fishing Fleets in Outermost Regions (2016/2016 INI). This Briefing summarizes the main elements of a study prepared for PECH Committee with the same title. Outermost Regions (ORs) of the European Union are affected by handicaps deserving implementation of specific measures. The commissioned study aims at establishing the extent to which fleet management rules adopted under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) take sufficiently account of the specificities of the fishing sector in Outermost Regions, and at identifying relevant measures that could support the development of the sector in these regions. ORs fishing fleets are mostly composed of small-scale vessels targeting inshore and offshore resources. Over the past decade, modernisation of ORs fishing fleets has been unevenly achieved across regions. Under the current CFP, ORs fleets are subject to the same management measures than those applied to all Union fleets. Nevertheless, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) takes into account ORs specific handicaps through increased intensity of public aid and a specific compensation scheme of additional costs. Several options are discussed to support the ORs fleet modernisation, including a derogatory regime for fleet management and a revision of capacity ceilings.