Review of fisheries law and common fisheries policy of the European Union

Abstract:

The EU fisheries laws are classified into three types: primary law,secondary law,and case law;the secondary laws may further be categorized into three groups: Regulations,Decisions and Directives.The Common Fisheries Policy(CFP) of the EU includes a body of rules and mechanisms covering the exploitation and conservation of fishery resources,structural policy and fleet management,common market of fish and fish products,fisheries relations with the third countries,enforcement of fisheries law,aquaculture etc.The CFP plays a very positive role in building a closer Europe,promoting the economy in fishing communities,improving the living standard of fishers and fish-farmers,standardizing fish products,protecting the consumers' health and environment,enhancing the competitive ability of fisheries industry etc.However,it does not function very effectively in protecting fishery resources.The reason is that protecting fishery resources is not the only objective of fisheries management.Designers and decision-makers of the CFP also have to pay attention to economic efficiency of fisheries industry,employment,supply and demand of fish and fish products,international relations etc.