WRITTEN QUESTION E-3656/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Black tide in Galicia: damage to fishing

The Prestige disaster has hit an economic sector which is fundamental for Galicia: the fishing industry, which employs 120 000 people representing 12,5 % of the active population.

What measures will the Commission, and specifically its Fisheries DG, take to help the fishermen, fish-farmers and shellfish-gatherers in Galicia who have been affected by the Prestige disaster?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3655/02 and E-3656/02given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2003)

On 20 December the Council adopted a Regulation designed to help restore the fishery resources and aquaculture sites affected by the oil spill from the tanker Prestige(1).

This contains exceptional measures in support of persons and undertakings in the fishing, shellfish and aquaculture sector in the Spanish coastal zones affected by the oil pollution.

These measures provide for:

- financial compensation to persons and owners of enterprises for the temporary cessation of their activities,

- aid for replacement of fishing gear,

- aid for cleaning, repairing and reconstructing shellfish and aquaculture sites,

- financial compensation for replacement of shellfish stocks.

To facilitate and accelerate the granting of aid to victims of the pollution the Regulation also includes a number of waivers from the rules in Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/19(2) on eligibility of expenditure for part-financing from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.

It also authorises release of complementary appropriations (EUR 30 million) from the funds allocated for aid under Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001(3) aiming to promote conversion of fishing vessels and fishermen that were up to 1999 dependent on the fisheries agreement with Morocco.

The Commission received a formal request from the Spanish authorities on 14 January to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide financial assistance to deal with the consequences of the Prestige accident.

The Commission points out that the purpose of the Fund is to complement Member States' own efforts by covering a share of the public expenditure in order to help them carry out essential emergency operations as defined in Article 3(2) of the EUSF Regulation(4). Under sub-section (d) of Article 3(2) the immediate cleaning up of disaster-stricken areas, including natural zones, is considered an emergency operation. The Fund is intended mainly for dealing with major disasters with serious repercussions on living conditions, the natural environment or the economy. Only in exceptional circumstances and if a number of specific criteria set out in Article 2(2) (last subparagraph), of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 are met, may regional disasters causing damage of less than EUR 3 billion or 0,6 % of the gross national income (GNI) may be considered for EUSF aid.

Financial assistance under the EUSF Regulation covers public damage. Damage to private households and businesses, including indirect damage such as damage to tourism or the fishing industry, does not qualify for compensation. However, the Commission is now examining the application on the basis of the information received and will respond as quickly as possible in line with the requirements of the said Regulation.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2372/2002 of 20 December 2002 instituting specific measures to compensate the Spanish fisheries, shellfish industry and aquaculture, affected by the oil spills from the Prestige, OJ L 358, 31.12.2002.

(2) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(3) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(4) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of the 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.