Feedback received on the establishment of fisheries management measures in Natura 2000 sites (Document 4.1) Exchange information on ongoing activities in MS to establish fisheries management measures in Natura 2000 sites State of play - number of sites, type of measures, implementation challenges,… Feedback received from BE, DE, DK, ES, FR, IE, IT, LV, PL, SE, UK. – other MS still invited to provide input

Marine Natura 2000 sites in various marine zones

Marine Natura 2000 sites with fisheries management measures established or in preparation

Approach to defining necessary fisheries management measures Systematic approach – risk analysis/impact assessment and prioritization: fisheries measures needed in some sites (e.g. in SE for 30 sites following a roadmap, in IE only 25% of all potential fishery interactions demand measures, systematic approach in UK, FR…) Through MSP as part of MSFD implementation No site specific measures

Types of measures implemented Temporal and spatial limitations of fishing activity Prohibition of fishing with specific gears Daily/weekly TACs and monitoring fishing effort Alternative gears or their modification Monitoring (incl. bycatch) and enhanced enforcement Fishing free zones Removing abandoned gear

Key marine features targeted 1170 Reefs 1180 Submarine structures made by leaking gases Sandbanks Birds, mammals

Implementation mechanism Included in the site management plan and through CFP Art 11 procedure (if necessary) Considering also CFP Art 20 procedure National strategies for species protection and other instruments

Joint recommendations estimated to be submitted in the following 2 years More than 60 (from 11 countries) To date (November 2016), the following Article 11 joint recommendations have been adopted: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1778 of 25 June 2015 establishing fisheries conservation measures to protect reef zones in waters under the sovereignty of Denmark in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat Regulations adopted on 5 September 2016 but not published yet (expected publication will be before end 2016): Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) … of 5 September 2016 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) … of 5 September 2016 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the Baltic Sea and repealing Regulation (EU) 2015/1778

Main challenges to defining the fisheries management measures Lack of knowledge (reliable data) on the distribution of protected features in the sites Lack of reliable data on fishing activity, especially of small vessels and recreational fisheries Lack of knowledge on the impact of certain fisheries on certain habitat types or species (supporting scientific evidence in some cases weak) The scale of the process in countries with many marine sites – task is resource demanding and time-consuming – EMFF not fully used to support

Main challenges to implementing the fisheries management measures Sectorial approach to the marine issues in general- lack of trust between fisheries and nature conservation sector Consultation mechanisms – conflicts, lack of will from fisheries sector to engage in nature protection Implementing fisheries restrictions while maintaining blue growth – possible disproportionate limitation of fishing activities – cumulative impacts (wind energy, shipping,…) Difficulties in enforcement and control at sea – lack of VMS-like systems for small vessels FOR OFFSHORE SITES: main obstacle is ensuring agreement from other MS on measures considered by initiating MS as necessary to comply with requirements of the legislation (abuse of the process, forcing a compromise) – Who is responsible?