WRITTEN QUESTION E-3352/00

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Subject: Strategy of the DG for Fisheries in the Pacific

At the MHLC 7 conference held from 20 August to 5 September 2000, the convention to be overseen by the western Pacific tuna commission was signed by all the participating countries except Japan, South Korea, France, China and Tonga. In spite of the undertaking given by Director-General Smidt, the Commission was not present at the conference. A further meeting is due to take place shortly, at which it is hoped that the aforementioned countries will sign. The sector is unsure as to whether the EU is fully involved in the MHLC process.

The European fisheries sector is concerned both at the agreement of the DG for Fisheries to take a back seat in the process of reaching fisheries agreements in the Pacific and at the stalled negotiations on agreements with countries in the region. It is critical of the Commission's lack of interest and failure to produce results.

Will the Commission say what aims and strategy it is pursuing in order to obtain fishing opportunities for our fleet in the Pacific?

What steps is it taking to reach a fisheries agreement with Kiribati?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 2000)

Since its third sitting in June 1998, the Commission has taken an active part in the Multilateral High Level Conference (MHLC) meetings on behalf of the Community, in particular to express its wish to be fully involved in the work and become a fully fledged member of the Convention on the Central and Eastern Pacific. The Commission also asked to take part in the interim arrangement to be implemented whilst waiting for the bodies laid down in the Convention to be established. In addition, the Community made sustained efforts to convince the states taking part in the negotiations of its intention to cooperate and make a positive contribution to the conservation and management of resources in the Western Central Pacific.

The Commission is the first to regret that its efforts did not yield the expected results. At the 6th meeting of the MHLC held in April 2000, the 16 members of the Fisheries Forum Agency (FFA), a regional organisation which encompasses the Pacific island states, as well as Australia and New Zealand, adopted a resolution. As the resolution excluded all new parties from the negotiation process of the new Convention, such as the interim arrangement, the Community was unable to continue its action. Under these conditions, and since the 7th sitting of the MHLC in September 2000 to formally adopt the text of the Convention had essentially been already agreed at the previous sitting, the Community considered that there was no need for it to take part in this final sitting.

However, the Commission does not intend abandon efforts to contribute effectively to conservation and resources management in the area, and to defend the interests of the Community fleet operating or that might operate there. The Commission must also review its options and devise a strategy accordingly, acting in compliance with its obligations under international maritime law. It will ensure that the Member States and Parliament are informed of its proposals.

With regard to a possible bilateral agreement with Kiribati, and in light of the above, the Commission is considering the details of the case and analysing the implications for the entire Western Central Pacific region.