OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) modifying Regulation (EEC) No. 3928/92 establishing a NAFO pilot observer scheme applicable to Community vessels operating in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
Date: 1995-03-29
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU programme, North-West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, fishing area, fishing controls, fishing regulations













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51995AC0314

OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) modifying Regulation (EEC) No. 3928/92 establishing a NAFO pilot observer scheme applicable to Community vessels operating in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization  


Official Journal C 133 , 31/05/1995 P. 0007 





Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) modifying Regulation (EEC) No  3928/92  establishing a NAFO pilot observer scheme applicable to Community vessels operating in the  Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization(95/C 133/04)On 21  March  1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles  43 and 198  of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal. The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work  on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 2  March 1995. The Rapporteur was Mrs  Santiago. At its 324th Plenary Session (meeting of 29  March 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted  the following Opinion nem. con. with two abstentions. 1. Introduction 1.1. At its 14th annual meeting, held on 14-18  September 1992, the  Fisheries Commission of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) adopted an 18-month  pilot observer scheme involving the placing of observers on board Community vessels fishing in the  NAFO regulatory area. 1.2. As a contracting party to NAFO, the European Union adopted the scheme in Regulation (EEC) No   3928/92. 1.3. The pilot scheme was subsequently extended for a further six-month period. At its 16th annual  meeting, held on 20-23  September 1994, the NAFO Fisheries Commission decided on yet a further  12-month extension to 31  December 1995. 1.4. The present proposal seeks to amend the expiry date of Regulation (EEC) No  3928/92  accordingly. 2. General comments 2.1. Whilst the Committee does not oppose the Commission proposal to extend  the NAFO scheme until 31  December 1995, it would like to make certain comments. 2.2. The Committee is surprised and saddened that it was not consulted on Regulation (EEC) No   3928/92, and draws attention to the fact that it is now being asked to issue a retrospective  Opinion on a decision taken in  September 1994. 2.3. The Committee regards the presence of observers on board Community vessels as one of several  ways of protecting fishery resources. By accepting this practice, the EU is demonstrating its good  faith and contributing to rational, sustainable fishing activity. 2.4. The EU supports the development of appropriate global methods for managing resources in  certain areas and for distributing fishing possibilities between the contracting parties. 2.5. The Committee points out that over a quarter of fish for human consumption is caught in  international waters or waters that come under the jurisdiction of third countries, including NAFO  waters. 2.5.1. It is thus vital that the EU effectively protect its historic fishing rights in  international waters. These rights have been steadily eroded by a string of unilateral impositions  introduced ostensibly because of the depletion of fishery resources. 2.5.2. Certain environmental protection measures may in practice be nothing more than a form of  trade protectionism designed to defend the interests of a particular country's fishermen. 2.6. The fishing effort of Community vessels in the NAFO area is not the only cause of the alleged  depletion of certain fish stocks. The replenishment of depleted stocks is also made difficult by  other factors such as environmental and climate changes, imbalances between the number of marine  species, and, in particular, the presence of fishing vessels of non-contracting parties whose catch  levels and fishing methods are not subject to proper controls. 3. Specific comments 3.1. To protect resources effectively, it is necessary to reinforce and  extend the existing global monitoring programme in order to keep a check on catch levels,  particularly those of vessels flying flags of convenience or non-contracting parties. 3.2. The Committee hopes that the international code of conduct on responsible fishing, being drawn  up by the FAO, will be concluded shortly as it will help to ensure more rational and orderly  deep-sea fishing. Done at Brussels, 29 March 1995. The Presidentof the Economic and Social CommitteeCarlos FERRER