WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Training for fishermen

On 4 April 2001 the Commission submitted a communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the training and recruitment of seafarers(1). That communication aimed to provide a comprehensive study into the current situation as regards maritime education and training, describe the legislative and other measures already taken by the Commission and encourage the adoption of further measures to improve the situation both by the social partners in maritime transport and providers of maritime education and training.

Despite its title, this communication refers exclusively to people working in maritime transport and excludes the entire European fishing industry, despite the high number of workers it employs, the difficult conditions in which they work and their high accident rate.

Why has the Commission excluded the fishing industry from its proposals?

Will the Commission submit a further initiative rounding off that already presented and containing proposals for the training and recruitment of workers in the fishing industry?

(1) COM(2001) 188 final.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 2002)

The communication to which the Honourable Member refers relates specifically to transport by sea of persons and goods. This sector suffers from a severe labour shortage, particularly of officers. The aim behind the communication is to boost recruitment through a two-pronged approach of making life on board more attractive from the standpoint of safety and living conditions and of providing high quality maritime training both on land and at sea.

Although some of the areas covered in the communication may also be relevant to fishermen it is not intended to cover this category of seafarer.

The Commission is aware that training is a source of equal if not greater concern in the case of fishermen than in the case of sea transport. Fishing is a dangerous and arduous occupation often practised by persons who have not received adequate training. In the Commission's view questions of training, safety and environmental protection in the fisheries sector merit their own particular approach.

The Commission draws the Honourable Member's attention to the provisions of Council Directive 89/391/EC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work(1) and to those of Council Directive 93/103/EC of 23 November 1993 concerning minimum safety and health requirements for work on board fishing vessels(2), which set detailed rules on worker information and training.

In particular Article 9(2) of Directive 93/103/EC states that training must cover fire fighting, use of lifesaving and survival equipment, use of fishing gear and hauling equipment and use of the various types of sign, including hand signals.

In addition Article 10 states that persons likely to command a vessel must be given detailed training on:

(a) prevention of occupational illnesses and accidents on board and the steps to be taken in the event of an accident;

(b) stability and maintenance of the vessel under all foreseeable fishing operation conditions;

(c) navigation and radio communication, including procedures.

Further, Article 5 of Council Directive 92/29/EEC of 31 March 1992 on minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels(3) sets detailed information and training rules relating to action to be taken in the event of accident or serious medical emergency.

The recruitment problem is not the same for fishing as it is for sea transport. There is no real shortage of fishermen but a difficulty in attracting young people. The important thing is to take action that will improve the profession's image.

A Green Paper on the future of the common fisheries policy(4) was published in 2001 and on the basis of the ensuing discussions with all interested parties, including Parliament, the Commission is now finalising a communication on reform of the CFP that includes training and safety. Both the communication and number of regulatory proposals for the new CFP after 2002 will be sent to Parliament before the summer.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.

(2) OJ L 307, 13.12.1993.

(3) OJ L 113, 30.4.1992.

(4) COM(2001) 135 final.