Water, Marine & Fisheries

Our Work

Our Marine Programme has a track record of analysing and commenting on the evolution of EU fisheries policies and related marine environmental initiatives for over a decade. The programme has launched a number of projects and studies on specific areas such as fisheries subsidies, indicators of sustainable fisheries, inshore fisheries management and governance of EU fisheries. In the next three years, the fisheries programme will focus on the reform of the CFP 2012 and the reform of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in 2013 which are critical to ensuring sustainable EU fisheries in the next decade.

IEEP has a long track record of examining the challenges in the implementation of key marine and water legislation, which will dominate the EU environmental agenda for years to come, such as the Water Framework Directive (2000). More recently, we have extended our focus to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008), the environmental pillar of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. Together, these Directives set ambitious goals and management approaches to all surface waters, ground waters and marine waters.

IEEP has an established Fisheries and Marine Programme that has been analysing and commenting on the evolution of EU fisheries policies and related marine environmental initiatives for over a decade. The programme has launched a number of projects and studies on specific areas such as fisheries subsidies, indicators of sustainable fisheries, inshore fisheries management and governance of EU fisheries. Our work has been funded by Esmee Fairbairn, Oak and other foundations, the European Commission, Defra (the UK environment ministry), the fisheries industry and a range of NGOs.

Whilst the programme focuses primarily on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and fisheries management issues, we recognise that current discussions are increasingly set within the wider context of marine management, specifically the EU Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). As a result, the Marine and Fisheries programme is increasing its activities taking into account the potential impacts of EU enlargement and the external factors which are likely to hamper progress towards better management of our seas.

We publish a bi-annual fisheries newsletter El Anzuelo. The newsletter raises awareness on the complex issues related to the implementation of CFP but also provides a platform for broader dialogue on fisheries and the environment.

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