WRITTEN QUESTION P-2484/99

by Josu Ortuondo Larrea (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Information on the phasing-out of vessels using driftnets under Regulation 1239/98

Regulation (EC) 1239/98(1) outlaws the use of driftnets in the Atlantic and Mediterranean tuna fisheries as from 1 January 2002. This Regulation states that the maximum number of vessels per Member State using driftnets may not exceed 60 % of the total so doing for the period 1995-1997.

In view of the incomplete nature of the information previously provided by it to other MEPs, can the Commission now supply a precise list, with the registration numbers of all the fishing vessels which have been in operation each year between 1995 and 1999, broken down by Member State? Can it also state whether the fishing vessels operating each year have been the same ones, with the same registration numbers, or whether there have been variations?

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

In conformity with Article 11 (4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 894/97, as modified by Council Regulation (EC) No 1239/98 of 8 June 1998 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources(1), Member States are obliged to notify, as from 1998, the list of vessels authorised to use driftnets. All Member States concerned have transmitted, pursuant to this provision, the lists of named vessels. As regards the years before 1998, there were no provisions included in Community legislation obliging Member States to submit lists of vessels nor to restrict access by requiring that vessels be authorised for using driftnets. Indeed, during that period, Community fishing vessels could freely engage in driftnet fishery. The Member States concerned have verified which of their vessels have used driftnets in the period 1995-1997 and, on request, communicated the total number of positively identified vessels to the Commission.

As regards the years 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Commission has provided the figures concerning the total number of vessels in its reply to written questions P-1537/99 and E-1561/99 by Mrs Fraga Estevez(2). The named lists of vessels, with regard to 1998 and 1999, have been transmitted to the authorities responsible for fisheries control in the Member States concerned. Taking into account that this information relates to individual, natural or legal, persons, in accordance with Article 37 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy(3), the named lists cannot be published in detail as requested.

As from 1998, the vessels identified on the named lists communicated to the Commission are, with few exemptions, in both years the same vessels. On the basis of preliminary verifications by the Commission, it appears that, in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997, a number of vessels used driftnets, as to commence an opportunistic fishery on tuna. Some of these vessels seem to have abandoned this fishery already after one season or even after a few fishing trips.

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998.

(2) OJ C 170 E, 20.6.2000, p. 33.

(3) OJ L 261, 20.10.1993.