WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Sustainable fishing policy and the Atlantic Dawn

In its Green Paper on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy(1) the Commission made explicit its desire to see the overcapacity in the EU fishing fleet reduced, calling for this to be done in a manner reflecting a sustainable and responsible policy where stakeholders are suitably represented.

Does the Commission's re-registration of the 144 metres Atlantic Dawn as a fishing vessel honour this commitment, given that Irish pelagic capacity will have to be significantly reduced to accommodate a single vessel which will inevitably deprive other fishermen of their employment?

Does not this re-registration contradict the EU's commitment to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity?

Given the nature of the EU-Mauritania agreement, much of the fish caught by the Atlantic Dawn will be transshipped to the Canaries and exported back to West Africa. Will the Commission indicate what impact it expects the agreement to have on local artisanal fisheries and local marketing networks in West Africa?

(1) COM(2001) 135.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2002)

The Commission Decision 2002/104/EC of 31 January 2002 amending Decision 98/125/EC approving the multiannual guidance programme for the fishing fleet of Ireland for the period from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2001(1) altered the Irish multiannual guidance programme (MAGP) target

in the pelagic sector in response to a request to take account of additional fishing opportunities in Mauritanian and adjacent waters. The Commission is obliged to consider any such request in the light of scientific advice. This was given by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. The Commission approved the exact volume requested, which is in fact less than the estimated fishing opportunities following the reduction of fishing effort in the area by Eastern countries in recent decades.

Whether or not a Member State meets MAGP targets is a separate issue. Ireland is currently outside its required MAGP capacity targets for the pelagic segment this is illegal and an infringement procedure is under way against Ireland. The situation must be rectified by the Irish authorities as soon as possible.

Registration of the Atlantic Dawn is also a separate issue. The Commission does not register vessels that is an obligation of Member States. The Atlantic Dawn has not at any stage been entered on the Irish fishing vessel register and thus on the Community fishing vessel register but is flying a Member State's flag this is illegal and an infringement procedure is under way against Ireland.

The international action plan for fishing capacity management adopted by the United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO) says that States should take measures to prevent or eliminate excess fishing capacity and should ensure that levels of fishing effort are commensurate with sustainable use of fishery resources. Access to resources outside Community waters depends not only on the biological condition of the stocks but on the fishing rights that can be obtained by the Community by negotiation with the relevant coastal states. No contradiction is involved in adjusting the Community's fishing capacity to the catch possibilities it can obtain in third country waters.

The Atlantic Dawn has never operated under the Community/Mauritania fisheries agreement, which limits access to Mauritanian waters to Community vessels of less than 9500 gross tons (GT). The agreement contains provisions, such as specification of fishing zones and technical measures, designed to protect local small-scale fisheries. In addition some of the specific actions funded by the Community under it are designed to support and develop the small-scale sector and local marketing networks.

In particular, the latter should benefit from a provision in the agreement that Community fishing vessels are to make a certain number of landings at Mauritanian ports.

(1) OJ L 38, 8.2.2002.