EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/781

(2004/C 84 E/0878)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0377/04

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Sustainable management of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean and measures to combat illegal fishing

Owing to unreasonably intensive and illegal fishing, fisheries stocks in Greece and other Mediterranean countries have fallen significantly: this has led to an environmental imbalance in the marine ecosystem. As part of the viable exploitation of the fisheries resources and stocks of the Mediterranean by the Union, special emphasis is being given to a policy of conservation, and it is intended to extend the fisheries jurisdiction of Member States in the Mediterranean as part of a broader, multilateral initiative involving the other coastal states of the region (1).

Given the failure of the Union to take any action to promote the sustainable development of fisheries resources and the inability to combat illegal fishing and given also that the European Community has exclusive jurisdiction as regards the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy, will the Commission say:

1. What measures has it taken to ensure the sustainable management of fisheries stocks from an economic, social and environmental viewpoint in Greece and in the marine fisheries areas?

2. How can fishing stocks in European and non-European waters of the Mediterranean be protected from unreasonably intensive and illegal fishing by third countries (Turkey, for instance)?

3. What measures has it taken to harmonise the management and exploitation of the common resources of the Mediterranean and controls and penalties in respect of illegal fishing in international waters so as to prevent stocks being exhausted? Which penalties have been imposed or may be imposed on states which protect or shelter illegal fishing vessels (flying flags of convenience or without any flag)?

4. What steps have been taken to enable the Union to extend the fisheries jurisdiction of Member States in the Mediterranean through a multilateral approach involving the other coastal states of the Mediterranean with the aim of achieving the viable management of resources and ecosystems?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 (2), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2550/2000 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of marine resources in the Mediterranean (3), is currently enforced in the Mediterranean and, since June 2000, it ended the derogation allowing Greek trawlers both to use a cod-end mesh size smaller than 40 millimetres (mm) and to operate in very coastal areas (less than 3 Nautical Miles (NM) off the coast or at a depth less than 50 metres (m) whichever is closer). These provisions, if properly implemented and inspected by the Greek Authorities, should be useful to resolve some problems of Greek fisheries.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy (4) represents the fishing management framework upon which the Commission bases its proposals for sustainable management of all Community fisheries. This Regulation is an important step forward that allows for a more effective adjustment of fishing capacity, that sets up a multi-annual perspective both for management and recovery plans and that establishes a stronger Community control and enforcement system.

The Commission, conscious that the current Mediterranean Regulation no longer meets the needs of the Mediterranean fisheries, and taking account of the guiding principles of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, issued in October 2003 a proposal for a Regulation that is in line with the reflections presented both in the Green Paper on the future of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and in its Action Plan (5).

In the Commission's view such a proposal, by putting together technical measures and management of fishing effort, should lead to more responsible and sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, by providing for the establishment of national management plans for certain fisheries, the proposal represents a compromise between the need to secure a harmonised Community framework and a flexible approach which may allow taking into account sub-regional differences and specificities. A harmonised Community framework, while considering sub-regional specificities, is a prerequisite not only to ensuring a level playing field but also to putting forward fisheries management proposals in the wider international framework.

Illegal fishing is a problem that may affect not only third country fishing vessels but also Community ones; for example, Greek waters and resources are negatively affected both by the illegal use of explosive and poor compliance with the legal cod-end mesh size in trawl fisheries. These problems must be tackled within the Community, not only at international level.

The outcome and final declaration of the Venice Ministerial Conference, organized by the Commission in November 2003, have provided a strong political basis on which to progress more speedily and effectively towards sustainable fisheries management in the Mediterranean. The extension of fisheries jurisdiction was identified as an important means of achieving this goal.

In particular, the maturing debate of possible coordinated extension of national jurisdictions on open sea together with the likely imminent ratification of the new General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) autonomous budget will allow both conservation and compliance issues to be better addressed in a coordinated manner at Mediterranean level.

(1) See COM(2003) 589, 9.10.2003, proposal for a regulation concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulations (EC) No 2847/93 and (EC) No 973/2001.

(2) OJ L 171, 6.7.1994.

(3) OJ L 292, 21.11.2000.

(4) COM(2001) 135 final.

(5) COM(2002)535.