Fisheries Omnibus MAP Response to the Call for Evidence

ClientEarth responds to the European Commission's Call for Evidence regarding a potential Fisheries Omnibus on Multiannual Plans (MAPs). The organisation argues that the priority should be the effective implementation and enforcement of existing tools rather than the deletion or weakening of key safeguards, such as the provisions on most vulnerable stocks (MVS) in the Western Mediterranean MAP and the 5% rule in the Northern MAPs. It asserts that failing to rebuild depleted stocks perpetuates 'choke risks' and that the only sustainable solution is to prioritise the recovery of stocks below sustainable levels. The document also suggests that the upcoming EU Ocean Act and the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) should be used to strengthen coherence in ocean policies and redirect harmful subsidies toward climate and biodiversity targets.

• ClientEarth opposes the weakening of safeguards in the Western Mediterranean MAP, specifically the provisions on most vulnerable stocks (MVS), arguing that these are essential to prevent the collapse of stocks like European hake in mixed fisheries.
• The organisation argues against removing the '5% rule' in the Northern MAPs, which ensures a less than 5% probability of fish stocks falling below the limit level (Blim) that endangers their ability to replenish.
• The document identifies a lack of implementation and enforcement as the primary obstacle to achieving environmental and socio-economic objectives in EU fisheries.
• ClientEarth asserts that the only way to resolve 'choke issues' is to accelerate the recovery of depleted stocks rather than allowing higher fishing efforts in mixed fisheries.
• The report suggests that the upcoming EU Ocean Act and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) should be leveraged to support the transition to sustainable fishing and correct structural imbalances.

APA

ClientEarth (2026). Fisheries Omnibus MAP Response to the Call for Evidence. https://www.clientearth.org/media/t4vnovyv/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_fisheries-omnibus.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Fisheries Omnibus MAP Response to the Call for Evidence. 2026. https://www.clientearth.org/media/t4vnovyv/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_fisheries-omnibus.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Fisheries Omnibus MAP Response to the Call for Evidence |date=1 June 2026 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/t4vnovyv/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_fisheries-omnibus.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2026fisheries, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Fisheries Omnibus MAP Response to the Call for Evidence}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/t4vnovyv/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_fisheries-omnibus.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }