D3 Fisheries
Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is intended to "...contribute to coherence between different policies and foster the integration of environmental concerns into other policies, such as the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)". |
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© Fotolia, Author: Bruno Barracuda |
The MSFD explicitly requires fishing activity to be managed so that conservation objectives for the broader marine ecosystem might also be achieved. EU member states are committed, through the implementation of the CFP and the MSFD, to keep fish populations at biomass levels above those required to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), by exploiting the stocks at appropriate fishing mortality rates in 2015 where possible, and by 2020 for all stocks. The MSFD requires the application of the ecosystem approach, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle, with the objective of providing ecologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas, which are clean, healthy and productive. Complementary, the CFP aims at maximum sustainable yield (MSY), with a strong focus on food security, the economic viability of fisheries and fair sharing of the fishing possibilities among the EU Member States. |
Populations of all commercially-exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits,
exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock. |
Criteria |
D3C1 – Primary:
The Fishing mortality rate of populations of
commercially-exploited species is at or below
levels which can produce the maximum sustainable
yield (MSY). Appropriate scientific
bodies shall be consulted in accordance with
Article 26 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. D3C2 – Primary:
The Spawning Stock Biomass of populations of
commercially-exploited species are above biomass
levels capable of producing maximum
sustainable yield. Appropriate scientific bodies
shall be consulted in accordance with Article 26
of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. D3C3 – Primary:
The age and size distribution of individuals in
the populations of commercially-exploited species
is indicative of a healthy population. This
shall include a high proportion of old/large
individuals and limited adverse effects of exploitation
on genetic diversity.
Member States shall establish threshold values
through regional or subregional cooperation for
each population of species in accordance with
scientific advice obtained pursuant to Article 26
of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. |