Report | June 11, 2015
Position on European Commission proposal COM (2012) 371 for a regulation establishing specific conditions to fishing for deep-sea stocks in the North-East Atlantic
Regulation (EC) 2347/2002, the ‘deep‐sea access regime’, has failed to ensure the sustainable management of deep‐sea fisheries and ecosystems in the North‐East Atlantic Ocean. Many deep‐sea species captured in the region are not covered by the regulation and therefore remain unmanaged, while catches of all managed stocks have been deemed to lie outside safe biological limits.1 The poor state of these stocks is unsurprising, given that only five commercial species are managed under total allowable catches (TACs),2 these limits have frequently been set higher than scientifically advised, and have often been exceeded in practice.3 The regime also leaves vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) unprotected from damaging bottom gears. In this respect, it fails to reflect international commitments made by the EU through United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 61/105 and 64/72, which call upon flag states to implement conservation and management measures to protect VMEs. Such measures already apply to EU vessels engaged in deep‐sea fishing on the high seas (Regulation (EC) 734/2008), but not to EU vessels fishing in EU or NEAFC waters.
There is a clear need for a revised management framework for deep‐sea fisheries in the North‐East Atlantic. Oceana welcomes proposal COM(2012) 371 final, which provides an excellent basis for developing this framework. Below is a summary of Oceana’s position and specific recommendations on major aspects of the proposal.

