Technical measures in the CFP and the reform of Council regulation 850/98

This study reviews current EU fisheries legislation and its effectiveness in achieving policy objectives related to increasing gear selectivity, reducing the impact of discarding, protecting marine habitats and ecosystems and implementing the MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield) approach. The study also reviews the effectiveness of minimum landing sizes and area closures as conservation instruments, and also discusses the relative merits of top-down and bottom-up approaches to establishing technical measures. These issues are discussed in relation to the revision of EU technical measures regulations.