Trawl fishing and the 30% target for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as part of the Biodiversity Strategy

Question for written answer  E-000475/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Adrián Vázquez Lázara (Renew)

In its Communication on the Biodiversity Strategy, published in May 2020, the Commission set a target of 30% of EU waters to be marine protected areas, 10% of which should be strictly protected.

The Communication indicates that the Commission will present a roadmap and an action plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems in 2021, and states that measures will be introduced to limit trawling ‘where necessary’.

Trawlers are of key importance in many European regions, including Galicia. Trawl fishing has been particularly hard hit by the gradual reduction of fishing quotas, Brexit and the effects of COVID-19. 15 years ago, the Galician trawler group caught 22 780 gross tonnes of fish, but at the end of 2019 only 12 880 tonnes was caught, a drop of 43%. The main reason for this reduction is the gradual loss of fishing quotas in Iberian waters (areas VIIIc and IXa, between the Miño and the Basque Country).

Taking into consideration the above, is the Commission considering limiting or banning trawl fishing in areas that fall within the 30% MPA target?