Safeguarding our seas and their wildlife

JL Rodriguez Spain has put sustainable use of the marine environment among its Presidency's priorities. Zoom In

Spain has put protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of the marine environment amongst the priorities for its EU Presidency. BirdLife International applauds this move given the long neglected status of the European marine environment and the fact that the EU is failing to meet its 2010 target of halting the loss of biodiversity.

In opening the International Year of Biodiversity within the EU, and as a nation with a strong and influential maritime tradition, Spain is well placed to achieve good results through effective and ambitious chairmanship in the Council but also by setting a good example through action in its own waters.

To move forward towards more sustainable European seas, the Spanish Presidency needs to broker progress in three key areas: endorse a policy to stop the needless deaths of seabirds killed in European fisheries; advance the discussions on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by calling for a radical shift towards sustainability; and lead by example in implementing the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – the key instrument for protection of our seas.

Under the Spanish Presidency:

• The Spanish Presidency and all Member States should urge the Commission to propose without any delay a strong EU Seabird Action Plan for reducing seabird bycatch for approval by the Parliament and the Council during the Spanish Presidency.
• When discussing CFP, the Council should promote environmental sustainability, call for a radical cut in fleet capacity and ensure that the operational fleet structure is compatible with sustainable fishing.
• Member States should transpose the Marine Strategy Framework Directive into national law and Spain should use the opportunity to provide forums for exchange of best practice and expertise amongst Member States while involving all relevant sectors.