Fishing policy and regional policy

In the second half of the 20th century, fishing activities became industrialised on a scale never seen before leading to a serious decline in fish stocks.
Because of this, states began to introduce management systems setting terms and access rights for fishing these stocks. As the third largest fishing power in the world, and given the economic significance of fishing activity for coastal regions in Member States, the European Union could not ignore these developments. Therefore, in 1983, it introduced its own fisheries conservation and management regime. The majority of measures introduced through the policy focus on conserving resources. However, there is also a substantial external dimension, dictated by both the need to protect the activities of the Community fishing fleet and the international legal context. This external dimension has continued to grow and diversify since 1983. As restricted fishing areas and exclusive economic zones have become more widespread, community fishing vessels have been excluded from zones in the waters of third countries where they traditionally used to fish. It has therefore been necessary to sign agreements with third countries in order to redeploy these boats. Furthermore, the 1982 Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea has placed emphasis on international corporation between states with an interest in fish stocks beyond national jurisdictions. Thus, the European Community has become involved in the work of Regional Fisheries Organisations.