A4-0133/96

Resolution on the problems of the fisheries sector in the NAFO zone

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Miranda and Mr Novo, on behalf of the Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, on cod fishing by the Portuguese fleet (B4-0157/95),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0133/96),

A. whereas relations with third countries and international organizations are an important aspect of the common fisheries policy,

B. reaffirming the importance which the European Union accords to the conservation of fish stocks in the Northwest Atlantic,

C. aware of the fact that states which are not signatories to NAFO fish in the NAFO Regulatory Area, which does not contribute to the rational management of the stocks,

D. being in complete support of the terms of the agreement which was reached by Canada and the European Union in 1995 and later adopted by NAFO,

E. whereas, within the framework of international agreements, continued efforts should be made to develop schemes which allow rational management of fishery resources, environmental protection and the preservation of extremely sensitive zones within the fishing areas concerned,

F. noting the strong ties that have existed between the peoples of the European Union and the people of Canada,

G. noting that, since 1984, fisheries relations between Canada and the European Union have been characterized by regular confrontations over fishing rights in the Atlantic,

H. whereas the bilateral fisheries agreement of 16 April 1995 between the EU and Canada, by means of which the conflict over Greenland halibut was settled, provides an opportunity for a fresh start in Euro-Canadian relations in the fisheries sector and will make a major contribution to the long-term aim of improved international conservation measures, as called for by the European Parliament in its resolution of 16 May 1995 on the illegal arrest of the Spanish vessel 'Estai¨ ((OJ C 89, 10.4.1995, p. 162.)),

I. whereas the avoidance of conflict must be the prime concern of both parties,

J. whereas Canadian law still contains provisions which continue to be unacceptable to the European Union,

K. pointing out that multilateral agreements in the fisheries sector are a crucial aspect of resource management policy at international level,

L. whereas NAFO constitutes a particularly useful reference framework, the authority of which must be accepted by all the contracting parties,

M. noting that the composition of the NAFO Scientific Committee - the body responsible for preparing decisions on TACs and quotas - lacks balance and that the number of Canadian representatives considerably exceeds the number of representatives from the other contracting parties,

N. whereas the relative absence of scientific research by the European Union in the NAFO zone leads to reliance on information provided by the other contracting parties,

O. whereas comprehensive monitoring and the cost thereof to the European fleet should be seen as the price to be paid for dwindling fish resources,

P. pointing out that the bilateral EU-Canada fisheries agreement, which was negotiated in 1992, has still not been ratified by Canada,

Q. noting that Union vessels are still denied access to Canadian ports on the basis of a law which denies such access to vessels from countries which do not cooperate properly within NAFO,

R. noting that majorities within the NAFO Fisheries Commission are often formed on the basis of political affinities which have no direct link with fisheries interests or with concerns relating to resource management,

S. considering the current voting system (1 vote per contracting party) to be unsatisfactory to the European Union,

T. whereas the draft agreement adopted on 4 August 1995 in New York on the conservation and management of overlapping stocks and stocks of major migratory species represents an important step forward and should be ratified by the European Union as soon as possible,

U. whereas the objection procedure followed in the past by all contracting parties, in accordance with which an agreed stock conservation or management measure is not binding on the party concerned if that party raises an objection within sixty days, is the main reason for the dramatic decline in fish stocks in the region, and whereas the UN agreement on the conservation and management of overlapping stocks and migratory species requires the coastal states and the states which fish in the open seas to cooperate in the establishment of conservation and management measures,

1. Takes the view that the Union should reconsider its representation within the various NAFO bodies and nominate representatives of a rank comparable to that of other representations;

2. Calls upon the Commission to respect all recommendations of the NAFO Scientific Committee;

3. Urges the Commission to do what it can, in alliance with other NAFO members, to urge those states which are not signatories to NAFO to join that body as soon as possible;

4. Considers, therefore, that the European Union must ensure that the scientific view of EU representatives is promoted more extensively;

5. Welcomes the bilateral fisheries agreement of 16 April 1995 between the EU and Canada as a significant agreement aimed at improving stock conservation by further developing new methods for the monitoring of NAFO management measures such as the satellite location system and observation programme;

6. Calls once again on the Canadian authorities to ratify the bilateral agreement without delay in order to regularize relations between Canada and the European Union in this area;

7. Insists that the Canadian authorities lift their ban on access to Canadian ports by Community vessels;

8. Calls on the Commission to review its political action in order to secure lasting support from other countries with which the Union maintains significant trade relations (such as Norway) and to draw up, in association with these countries, a joint strategy within NAFO;

9. Expresses its concern at the fact that the problems relating to marine mammals may create special relations between the countries directly concerned by this matter and considers that differing views in this area should not influence the running of NAFO and should be resolved in other forums;

10. Calls on the Commission to reconsider the voting system within international organizations in the fisheries sector by proposing that the European Union should have as many votes as it has Member States with an interest in the fisheries concerned;

11. Calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to provide more investment for scientific research into the stock situation and more selective fishing methods in the NAFO area;

12. Calls on the Commission to protect fishing opportunities for the Community fleet more effectively, particularly as regards quotas for cod and black halibut; accordingly calls on the Commission to demand withdrawal of the amendment which establishes a zero TAC for cod in the 3NO division in the absence of scientific justification for such action;

13. Calls on the NAFO contracting parties to ensure conservation and optimum management of overlapping fish stocks and stocks of major migratory species in the NAFO zone;

14. Calls on the Commission to exert influence within the NAFO Council with a view to ensuring that no further use is made of the possibility of objecting to agreed conservation and management measures (Article XII of the NAFO Agreement) and that all majority decisions in this area are recognized by all NAFO members as legally binding;

15. Calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to reconcile as quickly as possible their legal differences of opinion regarding the signing of the UN Agreement on the conservation and management of overlapping stocks and migratory species, so as to remove all obstacles to the EU's accession to the agreement;

16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Canadian Government and the NAFO Secretariat.