Maximum sustainable yield should be reached as soon as possible and by 2020 at the latest. At the same time - they pointed out - the economic sustainability of the fleets concerned needs to be preserved at all times. In stark contrast to the overall situation, overfishing is still widespread in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea, and stocks are in bad shape. Both Commissioner Vella and the Member States around these basins committed to renew collective efforts; some Ministers underlined that those efforts have to extend to the third countries of the basin as well.

Fishing opportunities for 2017: A commitment to healthy and profitable fisheries

Questions & answers about fishing opportunities in the EU for 2017