OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy
Date: 1995-10-25
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: authorised catch, common fisheries policy, exchange of information, fishery management, fishing controls













EUR-Lex - 51995AC1169 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



51995AC1169

OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy  


Official Journal C 018 , 22/01/1996 P. 0102 





Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No  2847/93  establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy ()(96/C 18/18)On 7   July 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 above-mentioned proposal. The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Strauss as Rapporteur-General with the task  of preparing its work on the subject. At its 329th Plenary Session (meeting of 25  October 1995), the Economic and Social Committee  adopted the following Opinion with no dissenting votes and one abstention. 1. The Committee supports the proposal which provides for the monitoring and enforcement of  those fishing activities in the biologically sensitive areas of Western waters which are subject to  effort limitation. The proposals should enable fishing effort in these waters to be controlled  evenly. 2. Fishery resources in Western waters are under great pressure. It is therefore imperative to  protect these resources and rigorously control their exploitation. Conservation rules must be  applied effectively and evenly. The effectiveness of controls will in large measure depend on  fishermen being convinced that the necessarily restrictive measures are applied uniformly by all  Member States. It is also necessary to convey to fishermen that the long term viability of their  industry will depend on observance of the conservation rules. 3. Fishery control therefore necessitates greater Union involvement. This is not reflected in these  proposals, which leave it to the national authorities to decide what action should be taken to  prevent fishing efforts from being breached. Instead of merely requiring governments to adopt  appropriate measures to ensure the effectiveness of conservation policy, a more effective EU  framework of conservation rules which all fishermen have to respect would encourage greater  compliance. 4. In its Opinion in 1994 (), the Committee also emphasized that adequate control requires that the  inspection services have sufficient resources. This is still not the case. 5. The Committee recognizes that the proposals are complementary with the possible introduction of  satellite surveillance which might prove to be a more effective means of control than the  bureaucratically more complex means now envisaged by the Commission. 6. In some Member States, the additional burden falling on masters arising from the real time  reporting requirements are giving rise for concern. In particular it is questionable whether in  some Member States the radio telephone system can cope with the extra calls that will be generated.  Unless the system allows for communications without delay there must be doubt whether masters will  be able to comply with the reporting requirements. The Committee believes that vessel owners should  be reimbursed for the considerable number of expensive calls that will have to be made,  particularly since smaller vessels have to return to port frequently and will therefore have to  make most calls. 7. Under the proposals, vessels fishing in Western waters, and which on the same trip also fish in  other areas, may carry gear corresponding to that fishery provided it is securely stowed and cannot  readily be used. The Committee believes this provision is the only practical at present, but it  will be important for the inspectorate services to ensure that the regulation governing the use of  gear is observed rigorously. Done at Brussels, 25  October 1995. The Presidentof the Economic and Social CommitteeCarlos FERRER() OJ No C  188, 22. 7. 1995, p. 8.  () OJ No C 397, 31. 12. 1994, p. 19.