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),

— 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,

— 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,

— 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;

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to the fishing activity in question on which the proposed measures are based are from 2010-2012 and could therefore be outdated;

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);

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;

1. Objects to the Commission delegated regulation;

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

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

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

(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).