EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/248

(2004/C 70 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3264/03

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 2003)

Subject: Recovery of Greenland halibut stocks: special socio-economic measures for the Community's NAFO fleet

The 25th Annual Meeting of NAFO was held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, from 15 to 19 September, with the main aim of setting guidelines for the management of the NAFO Regulatory Area during 2004. At the meeting, a four-year plan was drawn up for the recovery of Greenland halibut stocks, under which the TAC would be 20 000, 19 000, 18 500 and 16 000 tonnes for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively — a drop, therefore, from 42 000 in 2003 to the aforementioned figure of 16 000 tonnes in 2007. This drastic reduction in the TAC is based on a scientific report produced using a new method, without taking into account the technical, social and economic factors affecting this fishery. At the same time, a recovery plan for the Greenland halibut fishery in the NAFO Regulatory Area was approved, and its measures will have to be borne in mind by the various Contracting Parties, one of which is the EU.

These measures affect a highly modern and technologically advanced fleet and jeopardise the direct and indirect employment of around 4 000 people.

In the light of such a drastic approach and the failure to take socio-economic factors into account, and bearing in mind the other restructuring measures already carried out by the EU, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Does the Commission intend to draw up a parallel plan of accompanying socio-economic measures for the period 2004-2007, there being special and additional funding available on top of the current FIFG to allow the Community fleet in question to reorganise its activities?

2. If so, what would be the details regarding the timetable and conditions of the plan and the sum and source of the additional special funding? Would it be possible to make use of funds earmarked for the scrapping of fishing vessels for 2003 that remain unused in order to fund the socio-economic measures necessary?

3. What are the Commission's plans in terms of relocating the fleet to other fishing grounds, and is it considering the possibility of a temporary cessation or supporting temporary joint ventures and joint enterprises beyond 2004?

4. If not, how does the Commission justify accepting a change of this kind without putting in place any measures to alleviate the economic and social effects?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

The Commission is very conscious of the impact on the Community fleet of the decisions taken at the 2003 NAFO Annual Meeting on the re-building of the Greenland halibut stocks, in the light of the unanimous scientific advice showing a dramatic decline in the status of those stocks. The measures adopted by NAFO are designed to prevent a collapse of the stocks, and therefore to ensure fishing possibilities on these stocks in a sustainable manner. They are therefore consistent with the long term socio-economic interests of our fleet.

Immediately following the NAFO decision, a Task Force was established within Directorate General Fisheries to look at all the implications for the Community fleet. In this context, the Commission is working closely with the competent authorities of the two Member States most affected, Spain and Portugal, in order to assess the exact impact of this re-building plan for the vessels concerned. In this regard, the Commission is awaiting the submission of precise fishing plans for the fleets concerned for 2004 and following years.

Pending examination of these plans and consultations with the Member States concerned it is premature to indicate the precise structural measures that may be required. However, such measures may be carried out within the current financial framework for the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (IFOP).

The Commission is studying various options permitting the Community NAFO fleet to re-organise its activities, including alternative fishing opportunities. The possibilities needed in this regard will, however, depend on the content of the fishing plans.