A4-0366/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(96)0232 - C4-0337/96 - 96/0140(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas fishstocks have been overexploited in recent years and therefore significant efforts on surveillance and control of fishing activities are required to remedy this situation;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas fish stocks have been overexploited in recent years, and some species have been declared sensitive; whereas therefore significant efforts on surveillance and control of fishing activities are required to remedy this situation;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2

>Original text>

Whereas there is a need to use cost-effective measures and to improve availability and accuracy of effort data, such as by introducing satellite-based vessel monitoring systems;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas there is a need to use cost-effective measures, to improve availability and accuracy of effort data by introducing satellite-based vessel monitoring systems, and to lighten the administrative burden on fishermen;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the European Union must make a financial contribution to the establishment of such a monitoring system which will be valuable both to operators and for proper management of the environment, and must earmark funds for the general introduction of continuous satellite-based monitoring by subsidizing the investment required (ship-board equipment and fisheries monitoring centres), and its replacement;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas satellite-based continuous monitoring of certain categories of Community fishing vessels will improve effort management, surveillance of sensitive areas, cross-checking of logbooks, and monitoring of landings,

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas satellite-based continuous monitoring of certain categories of Community fishing vessels will improve effort management, surveillance of sensitive areas, cross-checking of logbooks and monitoring of landings, lighten the administrative burden on fishermen and improve safety at sea,

(Amendment 5)

ARTICLE 1

Article 3(1), 2nd subparagraph (Regulation No 2847/93)

>Original text>

The VMS shall apply no later than 1 January 1997 to all Community fishing vessels belonging to at least one of the following categories regardless of their length:

>Text following EP vote>

The VMS shall apply no later than 1 January 1999 to all Community fishing vessels belonging to at least one of the following categories regardless of their length:

>Original text>

- vessels operating on the high seas, except in the Mediterranean Sea,

>Text following EP vote>

- vessels operating on the high seas, except small-scale fishery vessels in the Mediterranean Sea,

>Original text>

- vessels operating in the waters of third countries,

>Text following EP vote>

- vessels operating in the waters of third countries, subject to strict reciprocity by those third countries,

>Original text>

- vessels catching fish for reduction to meal and oil,

>Text following EP vote>

- vessels catching fish for reduction to meal and oil, subject to strict reciprocity by third countries,

>Original text>

- vessels using drift nets longer than one kilometre,

>Text following EP vote>

- vessels using drift nets longer than one kilometre,

>Text following EP vote>

- vessels exceeding 18 metres in length overall and fishing for species declared 'sensitive,

>Original text>

as well as, no later than 1 January 1999, to all other Community fishing vessels exceeding 15 metres in length overall.

>Text following EP vote>

as well as, no later than 1 January 2000, to all other Community fishing vessels exceeding 18 metres in length overall.

(Amendment 6)

ARTICLE 1

Article 3(4), 1st subparagraph (Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93)

>Original text>

4. Member States shall establish and operate Fisheries Monitoring Centres, hereinafter referred to as 'FMC', which shall monitor fishing activities and fishing effort. The FMC shall be operational no later than 1 January 1997.

>Text following EP vote>

4. Member States shall establish and operate Fisheries Monitoring Centres, hereinafter referred to as 'FMC', which shall monitor fishing activities and fishing effort. The FMC shall be operational no later than 1 January 1999.

(Amendment 7)

ARTICLE 1

Article 3(5) (Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93)

>Original text>

5. Where its fishing vessels are operating in waters subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of another Member State, the flag Member State shall ensure immediate communication of specific data related to their position by its FMC to the FMC of the coastal Member State concerned. The flag Member State shall be discharged of this obligation if the fishing vessels flying its flag transmit directly all relevant information to the FMC of the coastal Member State concerned, on the basis of a protocol to be agreed upon between the flag Member State and the coastal Member State, which shall be transmitted to the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

5. Where its fishing vessels are operating in waters subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of another Member State, the flag Member State shall ensure communication of data concerning entry to and exit from the fishing area by its FMC to the FMC of the coastal Member State concerned. The flag Member State shall be discharged of this obligation if the fishing vessels flying its flag transmit directly to the FMC of the Coastal Member State concerned the information that they are entering or leaving the fishing area, on the basis of a protocol to be agreed upon between the flag Member State and the coastal Member State, which shall be transmitted to the Commission.

(Amendment 8)

ARTICLE 1

Article 3(6a) (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93)

>Text following EP vote>

6a. The Member States shall impose fair sanctions for failure to comply with this Regulation and fraud in respect of fishing effort, for each vessel concerned.

(Amendment 9)

ARTICLE 1

Article 3(7) (Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93)

>Original text>

7. The flag Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the data received from its fishing vessels are recorded in computer-readable form for a period of three years. The Commission shall have direct access to these computer files at any time. Due respect shall be given to the prevailing rules concerning data protection.

>Text following EP vote>

7. The flag Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the data received from its fishing vessels are recorded in computer-readable form for a period of three years. The Commission shall have direct access to these computer files at any time, paying strict respect to national and Community rules concerning computer data protection.

(Amendment 10)

Article 3(8) (Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93)

>Original text>

8. Detailed rules for the implementation of this Article shall be decided in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 36.

>Text following EP vote>

8. Detailed rules for the implementation of this Article, including the determination of sensitive species, shall be decided in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 36.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(96)0232 - C4-0337/96 - 96/0140(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0232 - 96/0140(CNS) ((OJ C 209, 20.7.1996, p. 7.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0337/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0366/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.