WRITTEN QUESTION E-1727/96 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Illegal driftnets in the Mediterranean

The problem of fishing with illegal driftnets recurs every summer in the Mediterranean, while the relevant authorities fail to take effective measures to put an end to this illegal practice, expressly prohibited by EU Regulation 345/92 ((OJ L 42, 18.2.1992, p. 15. )).

In answer to Questions 2087/95ES and 2088/95ES ((OJ C 300, 13.11.1995, p. 44. )) the Commission informed us that last year, the 'Northern Horizon' was chartered as an inspection vessel (and also that it operated for only a few weeks in September).

Last summer, over 600 fishermen were caught fishing with nets of over 2.5 km (according to the Ministerio della Marina Mercante Italiana).

This summer, illegal fisherman flying the Italian flag have already been detected, and large numbers of dead dolphins, sperm whales and sea turtles have been washed up in the Balearic islands.

This year, the Commission has chartered the 'Northern Desire' as an inspection vessel to monitor the situation, but plans to have it operating for only two weeks before sailing for the Bay of Biscay.

Does the Commission believe that these measures are enough to ensure that Community legislation is complied with? Does it believe that these measures will be effective in putting an end to this illegal practice? Does it intend to undertake other, more forceful action against fishing with illegal nets?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1727/96 and E-1792/96 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1996)

Taking into account the specific problems related to the drift-net fishery in the Mediterranean as well as in other areas, the Commission presented in 1994 a proposal to the Council ((OJ C 118, 29.4.1994. )) that drift-net activitites be gradually reduced with a total cessation of these activities by 31 December 1997 at the latest. Despite the Commission's efforts to work actively together with the subsequent Council presidencies with a view to reaching a compromise solution on this issue, the Council has not been in a position to adopt the proposal.

Within the framework of the common fisheries policy each Member State is responsible for monitoring implementation of Community legislation ((Council Regulation (EC) No. 2847/93 of 12.10.1993, OJ L 261, 20.10.1993. )) with respect to fishing activities conducted in its territory or in the waters under its jurisdiction and beyond by Community fishing vessels flying its flag. It is, therefore, up to the Member States concerned to ensure that their vessels engaged in drift-net fishing are complying with current Community legislation and particularly the requirement that drift-nets used by each vessel do not exceed 2.5 kilometers.

It is the task of the Commission to verify whether Member States fulfill their control obligations. To this end, the Commission chartered a vessel to operate as an inspection platform for national and Community inspectors, which patrolled the Mediterranean for a period of about six weeks in May and June 1996. As far as compliance is concerned, it is understood that the Italian government is taking measures with a view to ensuring proper enforcement and thus avoiding a repetition of the cases observed.

As in previous years, the Commission will draw up a report in which it will present its findings in detail.

A number of meetings have been organized between the Commission and the Italian authorities during which the question of a conversion programme for those boats fishing with driftnets has been discussed, and at which some suggestions as to the means of achieving the conversion of this fishing activity have been put forward. Now it is for the Italian government to formulate and present a conversion programme.