Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) modifying Regulation (EEC) No 3928/92 establishing a NAFO pilot observer scheme applicable to Community vessels operating in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization

(95/C 133/04)

On 21 March 1995 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 2 March 1995. The Rapporteur was Mrs Santiago.

At its 324th Plenary Session (meeting of 29 March 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion nem. con. with two abstentions.

1. Introduction

1.1. At its 14th annual meeting, held on 14-18 September 1992, the Fisheries Commission of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) adopted an 18-month pilot observer scheme involving the placing of observers on board Community vessels fishing in the NAFO regulatory area.

1.2. As a contracting party to NAFO, the European Union adopted the scheme in Regulation (EEC) No 3928/92.

1.3. The pilot scheme was subsequently extended for a further six-month period. At its 16th annual meeting, held on 20-23 September 1994, the NAFO Fisheries Commission decided on yet a further 12-month extension to 31 December 1995.

1.4. The present proposal seeks to amend the expiry date of Regulation (EEC) No 3928/92 accordingly.

2. General comments

2.1. Whilst the Committee does not oppose the Commission proposal to extend the NAFO scheme until 31 December 1995, it would like to make certain comments.

2.2. The Committee is surprised and saddened that it was not consulted on Regulation (EEC) No 3928/92, and draws attention to the fact that it is now being asked to issue a retrospective Opinion on a decision taken in September 1994.

2.3. The Committee regards the presence of observers on board Community vessels as one of several ways of protecting fishery resources. By accepting this practice, the EU is demonstrating its good faith and contributing to rational, sustainable fishing activity.

2.4. The EU supports the development of appropriate global methods for managing resources in certain areas and for distributing fishing possibilities between the contracting parties.

2.5. The Committee points out that over a quarter of fish for human consumption is caught in international waters or waters that come under the jurisdiction of third countries, including NAFO waters.

2.5.1. It is thus vital that the EU effectively protect its historic fishing rights in international waters. These rights have been steadily eroded by a string of unilateral impositions introduced ostensibly because of the depletion of fishery resources.

2.5.2. Certain environmental protection measures may in practice be nothing more than a form of trade protectionism designed to defend the interests of a particular country's fishermen.

2.6. The fishing effort of Community vessels in the NAFO area is not the only cause of the alleged depletion of certain fish stocks. The replenishment of depleted stocks is also made difficult by other factors such as environmental and climate changes, imbalances between the number of marine species, and, in particular, the presence of fishing vessels of non-contracting parties whose catch levels and fishing methods are not subject to proper controls.

3. Specific comments

3.1. To protect resources effectively, it is necessary to reinforce and extend the existing global monitoring programme in order to keep a check on catch levels, particularly those of vessels flying flags of convenience or non-contracting parties.

3.2. The Committee hopes that the international code of conduct on responsible fishing, being drawn up by the FAO, will be concluded shortly as it will help to ensure more rational and orderly deep-sea fishing.

Done at Brussels, 29 March 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER