May 21, 2012 – EU – The price of a failed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is high, said Guus Pastoor, President of the European Fish Processors Association and the European Federation of National Organisations of Importers and Exporters of Fish (AIPCE-CEP). Charlotte Johnston, TheFishSite editor reports.
There are disastrous consequences if the market does not accept the CFP reform, he said, addressing a debate at World Fisheries Congress 2012.
He laid out what he believes are the key components to the reform and what their failures would mean:
Reform to better manage fish stocks – failure to do this will result in ecological loss.
Optimise fishing and market opportunities – failure will result in economic loss.
Restore societies confidence in fisheries – failure of this will mean a loss of reputation in seafood.
Consumers already have a negative perception of CFP, which means the changes this time must be hard hitting and effective, he said.
Mr Pastoor said to achieve this the whole industry must work together.