Naslovnica Chapter 13 – Fisheries

Chapter 13 – Fisheries

What is being negotiated?

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was first formulated in the Treaty of Rome. It was initially part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but the accession to the European Union (EU) of countries with large fishing fleets and rich marine resources, as well as the need to address new problems such as conservation of fish resources, led to a separation of this policy.

The CFP sets rules for the conservation of aquatic living resources, limitation of the ecological impact of fisheries, and conditions for access to water and resources. It also includes structural policy and specific rules for managing fleet capacity, controlling fishing activities and enforcing its rules. The CFP is grounded on scientific-based advice and it provides a framework for the collecting, management and use of fisheries data.

The EU CFP covers the issues of use and management of fisheries resources, the issues of fisheries market organization, structural policy, monitoring and control issues, as well as international cooperation in fisheries. It aims to ensure, at European level, the long-term sustainable use of living resources of the sea. Thereby, it takes into account the growing market need for healthy seafood products.

The aim of the negotiations under this chapter is the development and modernization of fisheries, the protection of natural resources and the adoption of European standards in Montenegro. Work in this area tends to establish the necessary infrastructure, to modernize production and to better organization of the sector, all for the purpose of better involvement of Montenegrin fisheries into the European market and better life for fishermen.

When was the chapter opened?

Negotiating Chapter 13 –Fisheries has been opened at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on 30 June 2016.

Opening benchmarks?

Montenegro had one opening benchmark under Chapter 13 related to the development of a comprehensive National strategy for fisheries, including an action plan, which will serve as a basis for the transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis in this area. On June 25, 2015, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Fisheries Strategy of Montenegro 2015-2020 with an action plan for the transposition, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis, thereby fulfilling the opening benchmark.

Closing benchmarks?

Within the negotiation chapter 13, Montenegro is obliged to meet the following closing benchmarks:

1. Montenegro adopts legislation that provides a substantial degree of alignment with the EU acquis for fisheries and ensures that Montenegro will be able to fully apply the Common Fisheries Policy upon accession.

2. Montenegro substantially strengthens the administrative, inspection and control capacity required by the Common Fisheries Policy and ensures that EU requirements will be fully met at the date of accession, in particular as regards inspection and control.

What are the activities in the coming period?

In order to meet the first closing benchmark, the Montenegro’s Programme of Accession to the EU 2019-2020 (PPCG) provides the adoption of theLaw on Structural Measures and State Aid in the Fisheries and Aquaculture and theLaw on the Regulation of the Market for Fishery and Aquaculture Productsin the third quarter, the adoption of the Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture in the fourth quarter as well as a set of by-laws, also in accordance with PPCG.

In order to meet the second closing benchmark, after the establishment of the Directorate for Fisheries on March 30, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is continuously taking steps to provide the necessary infrastructure, strengthen administrative capacity, especially in the field of inspection and control, especially in the field of inspection and control, and adjusting it to the needs and size of the fisheries sector of Montenegro.

Institutions/organizations participating in the negotiation group?

The negotiator for Chapter 13, as well as the Head of Working Group 13, was selected from among the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro, while the contact person for Working Group 13 is from the European Integration Office.

Members of the working group for Chapter 13 are representatives of the following institutions and organizations: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Parliament of Montenegro, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Police Directorate, Maritime Safety Administration, Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, Statistical Office of Montenegro – Monstat, Institute of Marine Biology, Faculty of Law – University of Montenegro, PC for Management of the Marine Property of Montenegro, Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro, Montenegro Business Alliance, Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, NGO Association of Professional Fishermen – Bar, NGO Association of Professional Fishermen ,,Južni Jadran“, NGO National Association of Fish Producers of Montenegro, NGO Association of Fishermen of Ulcinj, NGO Association of professionalpurse seinersof Montenegro, NGO Association of Fishermen ,,Sidro” – Bar and NGO Association of Professional Fishermen of the Sea of Montenegro ,,Škver”.

What are the benefits to Montenegro of this chapter?

By joining the European Union, Montenegro will gain direct access to the European Union’s single market, one of the world’s largest importers of fisheries products. Due to the direct placement of Montenegrin catches, Montenegrin fishermen will be given the opportunityto be placed on the market on an equally. The use of funds from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, as well as better organization of the fisheries sector through associationin producer organizations, will enable better positioning of Montenegrin fisheries in the wider European market context.

Marine fisheries provide economic benefits to Montenegro through planning new employments and increased income while providing food sources for locals and tourists. Income and employment are not limited on fishing, but are also generated through distribution, marketing campaigns, fish processing, as well as ancillary services at ports, marinas and shipyards. In addition, marine fisheries provide jobs at restaurants and markets.

Chapter 13 - Working Group

Radana Damjanović

Negotiatior

Slavica Pavlović

Head of the WG

Granica Kovačević

Secretary of the WG

The Working Group was formed in February 2013. The negotiator for this chapter is Radana Damjanovic, Director General of the Directorate for Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Head of the Working Group is Slavica Pavlovic, Director General of the Directorate for Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The contact person for the working group is Granica Kovacevic from the European Integration Office.

The working group consists of 32 members (15 from state institutions and 17 from the civil sector).