WRITTEN QUESTION E-1192/97 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (3 April 1997)

Subject: Non-industrial fishing in the Canary Islands

The fisheries sector in the Canary Islands has suffered a major decline in recent years for various reasons, and the number of fishermen and the gross registered tonnage (GRT) have decreased by over 50% in the last 25 years. Despite this, over 2000 people work in the fisheries sector, on which various economic sub-sectors in the islands in turn depend. The non-industrial fishing fleet has been particularly hard hit and is in danger of dying out altogether unless steps are taken as a matter of urgency to enable it to recover.

Non-industrial fishing, which is a highly labour-intensive activity, involves several hundred small vessels, with an average gross registered tonnage of 5.5 tonnes per vessel. The vessels are used to catch species such as big eye tuna, horse mackerel, sardines, etc., by means of line fishing, a method which conserves fish stocks by making use of migratory currents.

One of the main problems experienced in this sector is the restriction on engine-power in order to comply with Community legislation. This restriction, which is understandable when applied to vessels which use methods such as trawling, cannot be justified in the case of non-industrial fishing since it limits the autonomy and hence the productivity of the fishermen.

Is the Commission aware of the situation facing non-industrial fishing vessels in the Canary Islands?

Does it consider that the current limits on engine-power for the fishing fleet should be applied to vessels employing non-industrial fishing methods in the same way as to trawlers? Would it be possible to draw up rules on specific engine-power for this sector, given that the methods used do not jeopardize fish stocks?

What aid is available to the Canary Islands non-industrial fishing fleet for restructuring and the replacement of vessels? Does the Commission consider that sufficient support is provided for catches landed by non-industrial fishermen?

When allocating aid, has the Commission taken account of the special circumstances of this sector, such as its non-industrial structure and the small size of the vessels involved?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1997)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern about small-scale coastal fishing in the Canaries. She will be pleased to know that, in the context of the multiannual guidance programmes - generation IV ((COM(96) 203. )), the Council at its meeting on 15 April 1997 decided that capacity in this fleet segment could remain stable and even allowed for slight increases in engine power for safety reasons, provided the segment does not include trawlers.

As regards aid for restructuring and modernizing this fleet segment, you should note that in Objective 1 regions a Member State may, under its operational programme for fisheries, introduce modernization schemes in line with the current rules and regulations.

Given the social and economic importance of small-scale coastal fishing, in particular in terms of employment, the Budgetary Authority has allocated additional appropriations not included under heading 2 of the financial perspectives (i.e. structural policy) to help this fleet segment, specifically budget headings B2-521 in 1995 and B2-522 in 1997.

In Decision C(95) 3312 final of 18 December 1995, the Commission approved an action plan for small-scale coastal fishing in Finland, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.