Fishing Power Europe: The EU's Normativity in Its External Fisheries Action

The EU's ability to act normatively in its external action in the area of fisheries is examined in this book. It reconceptualises the Normative Power Europe narrative by identifying three interrelated elements: universality, use of instruments, and legitimacy. The EU is a major fishing power but needs the full Member States support to act independently, as its present constitution prevents it from doing so. The volume is aimed at academics and practitioners working in the area of fisheries globally and the EU's external action more generally.

Format: Hardback
Length: 245 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: T.M.C. Asser Press

This book delves into the intricate interplay between the European Union (EU) and international legal frameworks, exploring how these frameworks shape the EU's ability to engage in normative external action in the realm of fisheries. As a significant fishing power, the EU portrays itself as a normative actor, committed to sustainable fishing practices and upholding international standards. The volume challenges the existing narrative of Normative Power Europe by identifying three interconnected elements as the key criteria for evaluating the normativity of the EU's conduct: universality, use of instruments, and legitimacy.

The universality element examines the level of international acceptance and recognition of the EU's stated aims and objectives in its fisheries policies. It assesses whether the EU's actions are widely accepted and endorsed by other countries, fostering a sense of common responsibility and adherence to international norms. The use of instruments element scrutinizes the EU's participation in relevant international institutions and the means it employs to influence and shape global fisheries governance. It explores the EU's ability to leverage its membership in global and regional bodies, as well as its use of persuasive strategies rather than coercive measures, to achieve its goals. The legitimacy element examines the substantive content and impact of the EU's fisheries policies. It assesses whether the EU's actions are consistent with international law, prioritize the protection of common or self-interests, and demonstrate coherence and consistency in its approach.

The book draws upon extensive research into both the international and EU legal frameworks related to fisheries, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the EU in its external fisheries relations. It addresses four sets of challenges: the first pertains to the EU's normativity despite lacking membership in global institutions; the second arises despite being a member of other global or regional bodies; the third concerns the complexities of multileveled coercive action in fisheries; and the fourth revolves around accessing foreign fishing resources. The book argues that while the EU's normativity is significantly influenced by its internal and external powers, it is the EU's inability to freely exercise these powers that undermines its normative status. To act normatively, the EU requires the full support and cooperation of its member states, as its present constitution limits its ability to act independently from them.

The volume is aimed at scholars, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the dynamics of international fisheries governance, the role of the EU in shaping global fisheries policies, and the challenges and opportunities for sustainable fishing practices. It offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between legal frameworks.

Weight: 565g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462655829
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023