Dutch shrimp fishers may agree catch limits to curb overfishing

Dutch shrimp fishers may agree temporary limits on catches to help prevent overfishing, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) says in a decision it describes as the first test of a sustainability agreement under European fisheries competition rules.

The Coöperatieve Visserij Organisatie (CVO), a fishers’ cooperative, wants to adopt the Harvest Control Rule used by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification scheme. The rule would allow it to impose temporary fishing restrictions on members to protect shrimp stocks.

The ACM says the measure is important for the fishing industry and the survival of other marine life, and is no broader than necessary to meet that aim. It also notes that the proposal does not set prices or eliminate competition between fishers. Members would remain free to choose whether to use the MSC label and could continue to use other certification schemes.