WRITTEN QUESTION E-2433/02

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 August 2002)

Subject: Management of North Sea fish stocks

How can the Commission justify its proposals to open the North Sea for a free for all when there is clearly insufficient scientific evidence to demonstrate that the survival of key stocks will be protected?

Will the Commission rethink its potentially devastating proposal under the CFP reforms that the North Sea will only be governed by a TACs and quotas regime, which in the light of its written answer P-1902/02(1), has been based on a lack of scientific advice and insufficient information?

The Commission has admitted that:

1. Very little is known about the abundance and status of non-quota species in the North Sea;

2. Many non-quota species would almost certainly incur by-catches of species subject to quotas, many of which are already fully utilised and over-fished, some with the need for recovery measures;

3. There is insufficient information to establish the commercial value of non-quota species.

In light of the Commission's own admissions, can the Commission explain why it is proposing a management regime for the North Sea which could result in the decimation of fish stocks which have already severely declined, with a potentially devastating impact on fisheries-dependent communities located on the North Sea?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr. Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 2002)

In its reply to written question P-1902/02 by the Honourable Member(1), the Commission referred to species not subject to catch limitations in the North Sea. However, it should be recalled that all the most commercially important species in the North Sea are subject to total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas. Therefore any comments about non-quota species should be regarded against the background of the existing conservation measures for the main stocks.

In the light of the TACs and quotas and technical measures already applicable for the main species in the North Sea there is certainly no reason to consider Community policy as being a free-for-all. On the contrary, Community policy has considerably tightened up conservation of these species over years, following the Commission's initiative.

Any remark concerning non-quota species in the North Sea should be put in perspective. Non-quota species can hardly justify directed fisheries, and the Commission is not aware of significant fisheries targeting non-quota species in the North Sea beyond 12 miles. Therefore it is clear for the Commission that the vast majority, if not all the fishing activity in the North Sea is indeed subject to the existing conservation measures. The Commission, in any case, is fully prepared (as shown with recent initiatives such as the cod and hake recovery plan) to do everything necessary to improve conservation of stocks in all Community regions, including the introduction of fishing effort limitations alongside catch limits and technical rules for fishing.

The Commission has also indicated, in the Roadmap to the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, that it intends to bring as many species as possible under Community legislation in the North Sea, as the necessary scientific basis becomes available.

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 154.