The European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA) welcomes the European Commissions Call for evidence on the evaluation of the rules on single-use plastics and fishing gear. EBFA shares the objective of reducing marine litter and plastic pollution, which represent one of the most serious environmental challenges worldwide.
The scale of plastic pollution in the marine environment is alarming with million tonnes already present in the oceans and a projected annual input increase in the absence of effective interventions.
A large share of this plastic does not remain at the surface but sinks and accumulate on the seabed, making the collection challenging. Plastic pollution has well-documented impacts on marine life and habitat, causing entanglement, digestive complication, physiological stress and toxicological effects.
Fishers depend directly on healthy marine ecosystems for having a fruitful activity and sustain food production. Any degradation of marine biodiversity and habitats directly threatens the sustainability of fishing activities. Plastic pollution also has a direct impact on fishers.
Marine litter damages vessels and onboard equipment, reduces catch quality and quantity, increases maintenance and repair costs, and causes operational delays. These impacts translate into concrete economic losses for a sector that is already subject to significant regulatory and environmental pressures.
EBFA therefore fully agrees that marine plastic pollution must be addressed. However, it is essential that solutions are properly targeted, proportionate and scientifically sound. In this context, the evaluation should ensure that the fishing sectors contribution to marine litter is reassessed, that the significant efforts made by fishers to reduce their footprint are duly recognised, and that their involvement in marine depollution is supported through simplified procedures and properly rewarded.
Press contact
Daniel Voces, Secretary of EBFA, info@bottomfishingalliance.eu (+32 489 26 81 07)
