The European Union member states are dramatically vulnerable in fisheries management and related issues of international fisheries market and international trade policy. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is designed to promote sustainable fishing following principles of both environmental safety and economic stability over the long-term perspective. As a major fishing power and the largest single market for fisheries products in the world, the EU plays an important role in promoting better governance through a number of international organisations.
The Commission is designated to represent all its member states in international fisheries organisations which is a unique example when member states concede their powers to conduct international negotiations to the European institution. Here the concept of multilevel governance goes beyond the Union and spills-over on international arena. This paper seeks to analyse new practices and principles of CFP after the most recent reform which took effect on January 1st, 2014, especially the role of the Commission as an international actor who represents all member states. The reform has changed the way in which the CFP is managed, giving the EU members greater control at national and regional but almost no authority on international level following the principles of supranational governance in fisheries policy. The examples of “herring wars” and “tuna wars” give understanding of CFP decision-making process on international level and dispute settlement procedure through WTO. Organisation of CFP on international, regional and national levels could serve as a model for further changes in other European common policies.
