WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3597/97 by Giacomo SANTINI to the Commission. Invasion of the European market by elvers caught by Asian boats
Date: 1997-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, SANTINI
Subjects: Asia, export restriction, fishery management, fishery resources, fishing rights, national law, sea fish













EUR-Lex - 91997E3597 - EN






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91997E3597

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3597/97 by Giacomo SANTINI to the Commission. Invasion of the European market by elvers caught by Asian boats  


Official Journal C 304 , 02/10/1998 P. 0001 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3597/97 by Giacomo Santini (PPE) to the Commission (13 November 1997)Subject: Invasion of the European market by elvers caught by Asian boatsFollowing the invasion of the European market by small elvers (which would become European eels in adulthood) weighing about 0.3 grammes each, which are caught by Asian ships off Atlantic coasts, the costs of such fry have risen astronomically (from Lit 165 000 per kilo in 1995 to Lit 750 000 per kilo in 1997).The Asians (in particular the Japanese and Chinese) have indiscriminately fished for Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica), thereby interfering with reproduction (Japan alone consumes approximately 120 000 tonnes every year), and they have therefore turned to the European market where, unlike in Japan, there are no limits on the export of fry.Can the Commission say:1. what it intends to do to safeguard Italian and European fish farmers, in view of the fact that Italy produces 7 000 tonnes of Europeean eels (Anguilla anguilla) per year out of the total of 20 000 tonnes produced in Europe every year;2. what it intends to do to prevent indiscriminate fishing from causing irreparable damage to the reproduction of these fish on the Atlantic coasts of Europe too?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)The Commission is aware of the valuable and growing contribution of the eel cultivation sector to European aquaculture and of the particular importance of this activity in Italy. The dependence on supplies of juvenile eels caught in the wild will remain for so long as it continues to be impossible to complete the life cycle of this species in captivity.Glass eels are caught as they migrate up rivers on the final leg of their migration from the Sargasso Sea. The competence of managing glass eel fisheries has up to now laid primarily with Member States and a range of national control measures exist, depending on the traditional patterns of exploitation and use. Five Member States ban commercial fishing for glass eels and elvers, while a regional ban exists in a sixth Member State. In the southern Member States where there is a tradition of consuming smaller eels, glass eel fishing is permitted but controls are applied to fishing gear, open season or fishing and dealing licences.A recently completed report on management of the European eel (concerted action AIR A94- 1939) has shown that returns of glass eels have fallen, resulting in a serious decline of existing fisheries, particularly in the Baltic and Mediterranean Member States. This is matter of concern and the Commission in September 1997 requested the International council for the exploration of the sea (ICES) to provide advice on possible management actions to ensure a sustainable development of the eel fisheries within the Community. This advice should be provided in 1998 and any possible proposals on aspects such as regulating exports of glass eels will be deferred until then.