Study supporting the evaluation of the Deep-Sea Access Regulation

The Deep-sea Access Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 enacts various conservation and management measures with the objective of i) improving scientific knowledge on deep-sea species and their habitats, ii) preventing significant impacts on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and ensuring the long-term conservation of deep-sea fish stocks, while iii) ensuring that Union measures for the management of deep-sea fisheries are consistent with the Resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

The Regulation’s main provisions define a fishing authorisations scheme for vessels engaged in deep-sea fisheries, regulate their fishing capacity and provide a set of spatial measures to prevent the expansion of deep-sea fishing grounds, to protect VMEs below 400m depth and to prohibit bottom trawling below 800 m depth. Specific control and monitoring provisions and a dedicated observer coverage are also included. The study concludes that the Regulation is meeting its objectives. In addition, this study suggests areas for improvements such as the introduction of criteria for fishing authorisations to ensure that the Regulation is focused on the fishing-fleet segments, which are likely to generate adverse impact on deep-sea ecosystems. The study also recommends a better definition of the provisions for observer coverage to ensure that the EU Member States take a harmonised approach.