6 December 2011: EU Ministers for Fisheries reached an agreement to regulate fishing opportunities in the Black Sea to promote sustainable stock management. They also were briefed by the European Commission on a proposal targeting countries that allow non-sustainable fishing. They met in Brussels, Belgium, from 15-16 December 2011.

Ministers reached a political agreement on a regulation fixing, for 2012, the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks applicable in the Black Sea. The Council of Ministers, the European Commission and concerned States agreed that it is appropriate to establish adequate measures such as inspection schemes and benchmarks to address the misreporting and illegal fishing for turbot in the Black Sea in 2012. In addition, the Council and the Commission agreed that regional cooperation on fishing in the Black Sea should be established to promote sustainable stock management in this area.

The Commission briefed Ministers on its proposal for a regulation on measures regarding countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks. The proposal sets out a mechanism that will: ensure that the measures will be proportionate; guarantee respect of international law; allow third countries concerned to be heard and to have an opportunity to rectify their action; empower the Commission to adopt measures; and allow a rapid termination of the measures whenever appropriate corrective actions have been adopted.

Several States supported this initiative, noting that the EU should always favor negotiations with third countries, but if these fail, there is a need for a specific tool allowing the EU to act against third countries taking unilateral decisions on shared fish stocks, instead of collaborating for their joint management. [Council Conclusions]