# C_2020028EN.01017201.xml

| 27.1.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 28/172 |
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27.1.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28/172

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P8_TA(2018)0265

Objection to a delegated act: Fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea

European Parliament resolution of 14 June 2018 on the Commission delegated regulation of 2 March 2018 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea (C(2018)01194 – 2018/2614(DEA))

(2020/C 28/27)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission delegated regulation (C(2018)01194), |
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having regard to the Commission delegated regulation (C(2018)01194),

| — | having regard to Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
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having regard to Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (1), and in particular Articles 11(2) and 46(5) thereof, |
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having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (1), and in particular Articles 11(2) and 46(5) thereof,

| — | having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118 of 5 September 2016 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea (2), |
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having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118 of 5 September 2016 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea (2),

| — | having regard to the motion for a resolution by the Committee on Fisheries, |
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having regard to the motion for a resolution by the Committee on Fisheries,

| — | having regard to Rule 105(3) of its Rules of Procedure, |
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having regard to Rule 105(3) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas Member States are required to achieve good environmental status for marine waters by 2020, in line with Article 1(1) of Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (3), while Article 2(5)(j) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 requires the common fisheries policy to contribute to this goal; |
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A.

whereas Member States are required to achieve good environmental status for marine waters by 2020, in line with Article 1(1) of Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (3), while Article 2(5)(j) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 requires the common fisheries policy to contribute to this goal;

| B. | whereas the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), in the conclusions to its relevant scientific advice (4), voiced a number of concerns as regards the effectiveness of the proposed measures for protected species and habitats and seafloor integrity; whereas those concerns have not been fully reflected in the recitals to the delegated regulation under review; |
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B.

whereas the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), in the conclusions to its relevant scientific advice (4), voiced a number of concerns as regards the effectiveness of the proposed measures for protected species and habitats and seafloor integrity; whereas those concerns have not been fully reflected in the recitals to the delegated regulation under review;

| C. | whereas the STECF also noted in its scientific advice that the figures relating to the fishing activity in question on which the proposed measures are based are from 2010-2012 and could therefore be outdated; |
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C.

whereas the STECF also noted in its scientific advice that the figures relating to the fishing activity in question on which the proposed measures are based are from 2010-2012 and could therefore be outdated;

| D. | whereas the unquantified number of vessels that would be covered by the partially temporary exemptions under Articles 3b, 3c and 3e of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118, as amended by the delegated regulation under review, could well have an impact on the effectiveness of the proposed measures; |
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D.

whereas the unquantified number of vessels that would be covered by the partially temporary exemptions under Articles 3b, 3c and 3e of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118, as amended by the delegated regulation under review, could well have an impact on the effectiveness of the proposed measures;

| E. | whereas the definition of ‘alternative seabed-impacting fishing gear’set out in point 2 of Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118, as amended by the delegated regulation under review, needs to be further specified; whereas if it covers electric pulse fishing such a definition would be in contradiction with the mandate for negotiations adopted by Parliament on 16 January 2018 (5) in the ordinary legislative procedure for the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (6); |
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E.

whereas the definition of ‘alternative seabed-impacting fishing gear’set out in point 2 of Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/118, as amended by the delegated regulation under review, needs to be further specified; whereas if it covers electric pulse fishing such a definition would be in contradiction with the mandate for negotiations adopted by Parliament on 16 January 2018 (5) in the ordinary legislative procedure for the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (6);

| F. | whereas the impact of the proposed ‘alternative seabed-impacting fishing gear’could still be significantly higher than that of other, partially prohibited gear (Danish and Scottish seines); |
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F.

whereas the impact of the proposed ‘alternative seabed-impacting fishing gear’could still be significantly higher than that of other, partially prohibited gear (Danish and Scottish seines);

| G. | whereas the review and reporting clause of the proposed delegated act does not apply to the newly proposed zones and their management, thus rendering impossible a transparent evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures, especially on newly tested alternative seabed-impacting gear; |
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G.

whereas the review and reporting clause of the proposed delegated act does not apply to the newly proposed zones and their management, thus rendering impossible a transparent evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures, especially on newly tested alternative seabed-impacting gear;

| 1. | Objects to the Commission delegated regulation; |
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1.

| 2. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and to notify it that the delegated regulation cannot enter into force; |
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2.

| 3. | Calls on the Commission to submit a new delegated act which takes account of the concerns set out above; |
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3.

| 4. | Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States. |
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4.

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(1)  OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22.

(2)  OJ L 19, 25.1.2017, p. 10.

(3)  OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19.

(4)  Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) (2017), 54th Plenary Meeting Report (PLEN-17-01).

(5)  Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0003.

(6)  Legislative procedure 2016/0074(COD).

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