Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) fixing management objectives and strategies for certain fisheries or groups of fisheries for the period 1994 to 1997 () (94/C 393/28)

On 10 March 1994 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 12 July 1994. The Rapporteur was Mr Silva.

At its 318th Plenary Session (meeting of 14 September 1994), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion by a unanimous vote.

1. General comments

1.1. The Committee shares the concern which underlies the present proposal, regarding the deterioration of certain stocks and the need to avoid a deterioration of others. However, it notes that other factors also affect fish mortality, such as weather conditions, the environment and, more especially, some forms of pollution.

1.2. The Committee reiterates the view, expressed time and again in earlier Opinions, that the maintenance and development of the fishing industry must be based on an appropriate, dynamic policy for the integrated conservation and management of resources. This depends inter alia on the Community having an advanced scientific data base providing more detailed information about the state of fish stocks than is presently the case. Such a policy also calls for full acceptance of the socio-economic implications of the proposed objectives. The latter requirement is explicitly enshrined in Regulation 3760/92.

1.3. The establishment by the Council, acting upon a proposal from the Commission, of multiannual management objectives and strategies for restoring the balance of fishery resources can go some way towards making conservation measures more effective.

1.4. The Committee stresses that restoring resource balance is a long term objective which will depend on the interplay of a number of factors and policies. This objective is still within the capabilities of the CFP's present management instruments, as represented by the TACs and quotas system and the control of fishing capacity (Multiannual Guidance Programmes).

1.5. The proposal is over-ambitious, and seems to indicate that more is known about some stocks of species than others. Despite this, it establishes forecasts which cover several years (1994-1997), even though ICES and STECF scientists take the view that forecasts cannot extend beyond one year.

1.5.1. In the case of some species, the proposal is at odds with the recommendations of scientists at ICES, the body on which STECF opinions are based. The proposal also seems unduly restrictive, especially when one considers that the Commission itself acknowledges that some stocks are in a good condition.

1.6. As the Committee has said in earlier Opinions, special attention should be given to the idea of a multiannual TAC. As Regulation 3760/92 notes, this can undoubtedly prove an effective management tool, on condition that its potential undesirable effects can be averted, particularly those relating to excessive overrunning of quotas from one year to the next.

1.7. Since the protection of spawning stock is a central concern of the proposal, particular attention should be paid to spawning periods. The idea of temporary stoppages during such periods should be contemplated in Annex II, as this is an important factor in the rational management of marine resources.

1.8. The Committee stresses the need to pay more attention to how industrial fishing has contributed, both directly and indirectly, to the present imbalance. It seems a little illogical to be proclaiming the need to protect juvenile fish when industrial fishing gear is known to be particularly indiscriminating.

1.9. The proposed reductions and restrictions appear particularly difficult to achieve in the case of demersal stocks.

1.10. In order to avoid additional upheavals in the sector - an aim which is also espoused by the Commission - the proposed restrictions should be phased in gradually, particularly as the multiannual guidance programmes already entail major reductions in fishing capacity ().

1.11. Furthermore, earlier Committee Opinions () have stressed that the financial provisions for the FIFG are signally inadequate for tackling the anticipated effects of the adjustments to the CFP.

1.12. To make matters worse, no accompanying social measures have been scheduled to assist fishermen who cease activity.

1.13. This being so, the Committee calls on the Commission to revise the proposal.

2. Specific comments

2.1.

Annex I

2.1.1. It would appear from the proposal that the scientific data used to fix the management objectives for depleted stocks were sufficient to quantify the biomass of spawning stock to be rebuilt. This suggests an in-depth knowledge of the stocks concerned. However, figures seem to be lacking for the stocks which the Commission deems to be less at risk, since the declared aim is simply to 'prevent increases in fishing effort'.

2.1.2.

Point 1.1.b)

ICES makes no recommendation for saithe.

2.1.3.

Point 1.2.b)

ICES merely recommends a 15,000 tonne preventive TAC for the Skagerrak.

2.1.4.

Point 1.3.b)

The objectives are over-ambitious, being two to 2 times higher than the existing spawning stock.

2.1.5.

Point 1.5.

ICES merely recommends a preventive TAC.

2.1.6.

Point 1.6.

ICES recommends a 300,000 tonne spawning stock biomass for plaice.

2.1.7. Points 1.7. and 1.8. should indicate the species to which the quantified objectives apply.

2.1.8.

Point 3.1.b)

This objective is over-ambitious. It is not feasible and could lead to the complete closure of the fisheries.

2.2.

Annex II

2.2.1.

Point 1.3.

Under Regulation 3760/92, quotas are allocated to Member States and not to vessels.

2.2.2.

Point 1.4.

The Commission should indicate its selectivity criteria.

2.2.3.

Point V.2

What is a quota of 'less than 10 %', as allocated to industrial vessels for protected species?

2.2.4. The 10 % should be calculated not by weight but by number of fish.

2.2.5.

Point V

What are the industrial fishing rules for juveniles?

Done at Brussels, 14 September 1994.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Susanne TIEMANN

() OJ No C 17, 20. 1. 1994, p. 11.

() Estimated at around 20 % for the 1993-1997 MGP.

() OJ No C 34, 2. 2. 1994.