Communication: Guidelines for the analysis of the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities according to Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013

Summary:

The existence of fleets which are not in balance with the resource they exploit has been an important driving force behind the historic over exploitation of resources in European waters. The new Common Fisheries Policy confirms the need for measures to manage fishing capacity: Member States are required to put in place measures to adjust the fishing capacity of their fleets to their fishing opportunities over time. The analysis and evaluation of the balance between the fleets and the resources that they exploit is carried out by each Member State, in accordance with the present common guidelines developed by the Commission. These guidelines should also be used for the purpose of the Commission's annual report to the Council and Parliament on the balance between the fishing capacity of member States' fleets and their fishing opportunities.