WRITTEN QUESTION E-0500/02

by Hugues Martin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Scientific studies on unintentional catching of dolphins

Over the last decade large numbers of dolphins have been found dead on the coasts of the EU. This phenomenon has worsened in recent times: no less than three hundred dolphins were cast up on the coasts of France between 20 and 29 January 2002.

The responsibility for this lies with the use of mid-water trawls.

The Commission has provided financial support for a number of studies on the interactions between marine mammals and fisheries activities. Can it state what conclusions it has drawn from these studies?

In June 2001 the Commission stated that it was willing to finance scientific research on cetaceans and the deterioration of marine biodiversity (including reference to dolphins). Can it indicate the state of progress of this research and describe the actions it intends to undertake in order to ensure dolphin conservation without jeopardising the fisheries industry?

Answar given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2002)

The Commission has indeed promoted and financed studies on the interactions between marine mammals and fisheries activities and on the effects of fishing on the marine ecosystem. The results of these studies are subject to discussion by scientific advisory bodies, especially the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee of Fisheries (STECF) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), in order to elaborate recommendations on the basis of which management action can be taken. In this respect, the Commission considers the reports of these advisory bodies as the best reliable summary of the current state of knowledge on the field of environmental effects of fishing.

The most recent ICES reports on this matter are easily available from the website of this organisation (http://www.ices.dk). The most relevant report of STECF is being finalised by correspondence and will become available.

The current state of knowledge indicates that work is still required to ascertain the population structure of cetaceans in order to determine the risks posed by the current deaths due to fishing. But, in any case, it is evident that there is a need to establish protection measures and to concentrate these in the Baltic Sea, the Southern North Sea, the English Channel and the Celtic Sea. Suggestions to reduce by-catch include reductions in overall fishing effort, temporary closure of fishing grounds, reduction of soaking time and use of acoustic deterrents (pingers) for bottom gillnets and the design of excluding devices and escape windows for pelagic trawls. Scientists have also given indications on how by-catch should be monitored by observers on board.

Technical specifications on how to apply these measures in a proportionate fashion and without unnecessary jeopardy to the fishing industry are, however, not available at present and have been specifically requested by the Commission from the above-mentioned scientific advisory bodies. Results are expected by mid-2002 and it will be on that basis that the Commission will propose management action later in the year.