EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/236

(2004/C 84 E/0279)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3358/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Council

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Bycatch associated with shrimp fisheries

Following extensive research, the Environmental Justice Foundation has concluded that the high levels of bycatch associated with shrimp fisheries are causing ecological degradation on a global scale. According to the FAO, shrimp fisheries alone are responsible for one third of the world's discarded catch, despite producing less than 2 % of seafood. Although shrimp fisheries are particularly non-selective, the issue of bycatch is not limited to these fisheries. Millions of tonnes of bycatch are caught by a variety of fishing methods every year, with trawlers, gillnets and longlines being responsible for a leading share. Left unmanaged, these fisheries will unquestionably lead to a decline in marine biodiversity and productivity, along with increased unemployment and poverty in coastal areas. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly stated that ‘the issue of bycatch and discards in fishing operations warrants serious attention by the international community’ yet insufficient action has been taken to resolve this over-exploitation. In order to address the issue of bycatch on a global level, EJF recommends the adoption of an ‘International Plan of Action on Bycatch Reduction’ under the auspices of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. EJF would like the EU to take the lead in calling for this IPOA at the next viable opportunity. Given that the EU has recently reformed the CFP to prioritise conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources, such a proposal would be in line with current European concerns. An IPOA would not only assist the EU in addressing its own bycatch levels (including those associated with long-distance fleets), but would also push forward international policy in terms of reducing wastage from fisheries.

1. What EU initiatives currently address bycatch reduction (rather than solely reduction in discards) in European waters, and bycatch reduction in long-distance fleets in third-country waters?

2. How does the EU monitor bycatch levels and the impacts of bycatch on marine ecosystems?

3. Is the EU prepared to take a lead in calling for a UN FAO ‘International Plan of Action on Bycatch Reduction’?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

1. In order to enhance the selectivity of shrimp fisheries, Council Regulation No 850/98 contains provisions for the compulsory use of a separator trawl with a sorting grid for shrimp fisheries. These measures are intended to reduce by-catches.

2. There are no general rules on by-catch quotas. The technical conservation measures set out minimum percentages of target species on board according to type of fishing gear and mesh size. These rules are monitored at sea and in port by the competent control authorities.

3. The Council is presently undertaking an overhaul of the current regulation on technical conservation measures, including the rules on catch composition, by-catches and discards.

4. On 8 April 2003, the Council adopted conclusions on the reduction of discards in fisheries on the basis of a Commission action plan. In particular the Council invited the Commission to initiate pilot projects in 2003 to assess the possibility of reducing discards through various measures, including novel fishing gear, voluntary departure from fishing grounds, real-time area closures and also the measure indicated by the Honourable Parliamentarian, i.e. the introduction of by-catch quotas.

5. Such measures should be seen in the context of the on-going examination of multi-annual fisheries management and the establishment of recovery plans for endangered stocks as provided for in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

6. The Commission is currently preparing an assessment of fishery resources in third country waters.