Given its magnitude, recreational fishing can have a significant impact on fish stocks, but regulation of the issue falls primarily within the competence of the Member States. In the event of adverse effects on fish stocks, Member States may, by mutual agreement or independently, establish appropriate measures to limit recreational fisheries. For this reason, and due to the possible horizontal impact on other multi-annual plans and/or on sea basins, it is clear that recreational fisheries should not be included in multi-annual fisheries management plans.

What is the Commission’s view on the inclusion of recreational fisheries in multi-annual fisheries management plans?

Has a study been carried out to examine the impact that recreational fisheries have on fish stocks?

Is the inclusion of recreational fisheries in multi-annual fisheries management plans appropriate in terms of the distribution of competences between the EU and the Member States?