Fisheries management in the EU is still largely driven by maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and catch limits. This narrow focus has contributed to truncated age structures, the loss of large, highly productive fish, and reduced stock resilience. Scientific evidence increasingly shows that healthy age and size structures are essential for long-term stock productivity, stability and ecosystem health.
Building on scientific advances and discussions held at the European Parliament during the RecFishing Forum, the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) calls for fisheries management to move beyond MSY alone and to integrate age- and size-based indicators, as already required under EU environmental legislation. Selective recreational angling provides practical tools to support such modern, ecosystem-based management approaches.
EAA asks – at a glance:
The full position paper, including notes and references, can be downloaded below.
- Manage for healthy age and size structures >> Aim for fish populations with natural age and size distributions, in line with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Good Environmental Status objectives.
- Use MSY as a limit, not a target >> Apply MSY as an upper boundary, complemented by indicators that protect large, old and highly productive fish.
- Combine management measures >> Move beyond catch limits alone by using harvest slots, spatial and temporal closures, and adaptive tools tailored to stock needs.
- Align EU fisheries legislation >> Fully integrate the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and related EU laws into stock management.
- Recognise the role of recreational angling >> Acknowledge angling’s low environmental impact, high selectivity, and significant social and economic value, including its potential to support innovative management solutions.
