ROMANIA
because at this moment, according to the national legislation, the majority of these new obligations are being implemented in our country. And here we mention, for example, the reporting of fishing data of coastal fishing vessels and the completion of the fishing log book. Regarding financial implications, an acceptable solution would be the allocation of European funds. The post-2020 EMFF (2021-2027) lays special emphasis on the EU coastal fishery due to its disproportionate social, environmental, and economic impact compared with other fleets. EU Member States in turn are expected to draw up a strategy
for the sustainable development of this fishery. What do you anticipate such a strategy would prioritise for the Romanian coastal fishery? Romania will develop a strategy for the small scale fishery sector as a result of the changes in recent years, redefined priorities and projections for the period 2021-2027. We need to see where negotiations will go regarding the allocation in the new financial framework, and where Romania wants to intervene, it will discuss and align with the views of other Member States that have the same views. European funds are important for Romania, especially for the fisheries sector. The
living aquatic resources are at a sustainable conservation levels, but the capacity of the fleet is not enough to make the most of them, and here I refer to capacity and tonnage, which does not cover the need to reach the level of the quota allocated for sprat. This causes fishermen to focus to other species such as rapa whelk, so we want to find a way to resolve this issue with the European Commission and to increase Romania’s fishing capacity. This would be a solution that would bring important economic benefits to coastal fishing communities and the Black Sea coastline. The impact of climate change can already be felt
by fish farmers in the form of increased frequency of extreme weather events. What adaptation and/or mitigation strategies can farmers take to reduce the influence of these events on their operations and what role can the administration play here? In the context of climate change that Romania faces as well, we analyse with representatives of the administration and researchers measures to mitigate the effects that specifically affect breeding and growth activities of fish used in aquaculture. Because thermal patterns vary from region to region, specific regional measures are required.
Replacing EMFF grants with loans will not be popular with the sector – or the administration
The aquaculture sector needs support to develop Nicolae Dimulescu, President of the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, has been involved in different capacities with the Romanian aquaculture and ďŹ sheries sector for decades. Here he discusses some of the issues facing the sector and how the administration is responding to them. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, EU Member States are required to develop strategies that achieve “GES (Good Environmental Status) “in their marine waters by 2020. GES is determined using 11 criteria (biodiversity, healthy commercial fish stocks, low impact of non-indigenous species, environmental contamination within safe limits etc.). Where does Romania stand in its achievement of GES,
what has the country achieved so far and where are the sticking points? Romania, as an EU Member State, must fulfill the obligations laid down in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, i.e. to make every effort to improve and maintain the good status of the Black Sea marine ecosystem. In 2012 Romania produced the first report on the state of the Black Sea marine ecosystem.
The national report was produced by the National Institute for Marine Development Research “Grigore Antipa�. The first stages towards achieving good ecological status of the Black Sea was the updating of the national monitoring program. In 2014, the European Commission carried out an assessment of country reports (for initial assessment, good environmental status definition and environmental
objectives). The evaluation report for Romania shows that there are inconsistencies between the reporting data and the technical report. Between 2012-2017, good ecological status was achieved in most of the analysed stations, and the next report should highlight the progress in achieving GES. Changes in climate patterns have an impact on the distribution of fish. Is this something that can be seen in the Black Sea?
EUROFISH Magazine 2 / 2019
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