Source: European Parliament
The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1614[1] establishes the list of areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) occur or are likely to occur, which corresponds to 87 polygons in the European waters of the North-East Atlantic.
Pursuant to the Deep-sea Access Regulation (EU) 2016/2336[2], the areas listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1614 are closed to fishing below 400 metres depth using all bottom gears, which includes bottom trawls, dredges, bottom-set gill nets, bottom-set longlines, pots and traps.
Since 2023, t he Commission has engaged in a review process with the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), including an analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of the VMEs closures.
In 2023, preliminary results showed that the closures represent less than 10% of the Gross Value Added for the fleet segments concerned.
The Commission has requested STECF to pursue the analysis at individual vessel level to have a better perception at regional and local level.
STECF is expected to deliver its final advice by March 2025 which will include a specific feedback from stakeholders via the Advisory Councils.