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Despite this alarming fact, the objective of the 2002 reform did not reflect a need to rebuild overfished stocks. 

The CFP is reformed only once every ten years, and that is why it was so important to get it right. Last week, four years and one month (almost to the day) since the beginning of the process, the European Parliament and the Council of fisheries ministers reached a promising agreement. (“Deal struck on fisheries reform”, EuropeanVoice.com, 30 May.)

On the very same day, the European Commission informed the public that the number of overfished stocks in the Atlantic has decreased from 94% in 2005 to 38% in 2013. We must acknowledge that, over the past ten years, a lot of work has been done to turn the tide of European fisheries, and the efforts are starting to pay off. Nevertheless, the numbers for the Atlantic and the worsening state of Mediterranean fish stocks (where more than 88% are still overfished) are still extremely worrying.

There is still a long way to go before anyone can claim victory in the quest to save fish stocks and restore the health of European seas. This year’s reform was designed to allow Europe to get on the right track, and we believe that the agreement last week can do that.

Member states have agreed to a future policy to rebuild fish stocks, and in doing so, they have finally accepted the common-sense argument that the health of the fishing sector depends on fish stocks, even if they do not like it. This is a huge achievement in itself, and it closes an important chapter in the battle to save the oceans.

What was agreed last week is by no means perfect, and we are aware that another, equally difficult, uphill battle lies ahead.

The stubborn and routine refusal by many member states to set a schedule for rebuilding fish stocks makes it clear that we will have to work hard to ensure that the new Common Fisheries Policy is properly implemented and that member states do not fall back into their old ways.

Amelie Malafosse