WRITTEN QUESTION No. 509/98 by Dominique SOUCHET to the Commission. Prohibition on the use of driftnets
Date: 1998-03-02
Institutions: European Parliament, SOUCHET
Subjects: Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, UN resolution, anti-discriminatory measure, fishing area, fishing net, fishing regulations, fishing rights, fishing vessel, sea fishing

C 386/22

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

(98/C 386/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0507/98

by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Commission

(2 March 1998)

Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets

According to the statements made by Mr Morley before the Committee on Fisheries on 3 February 1998, it would
seem that the Council(cid:146)s intention is to use Community funds to stop French, British and Irish albacove tuna
netters from fishing in the Atlantic.

Mr Morley referred to the diversification policy in Italy as an example to follow. Before even thinking about
applying this principle in the Atlantic, should not the Council first ascertain the outcome of the Italian plan? Does
the Council have irrefutable evidence that fishing with driftnets of an illegal length has actually stopped in the
Mediterranean, that boats which have received aid have not changed their Fag State and that the owners and crews
concerned have in fact stopped their previous activities?

(98/C 386/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0509/98

by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Commission

(2 March 1998)

Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets

The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, a Commission expert body, has acknowledged
both the aptness of the methods chosen and the quality of the results of the study carried out in 1993 by Ifremer
(Institut Fran(cid:231)ais de Recherche pour l(cid:146)Exploitation de la Mer › French Oceanographic Institute) on the
environmental impact of driftnets in the Atlantic.

In its conclusions, it merely notes that driftnet fishing requires (cid:145)close monitoring(cid:146).

Since 1993 net length has been limited to 2.5 km, the number of boats using this fishing gear has been reduced
and net technology has improved, so that it is certain that the mortality rate has greatly diminished.

In view of these developments, does the Council believe that it is reasonable to accept the Commission(cid:146)s proposal
to abolish the use of driftnets in the Atlantic (outside coastal waters)?

(98/C 386/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0511/98

by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Commission

(2 March 1998)

Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets

It is certain that other species are accidentally caught in driftnets in the Baltic Sea. Information gathered by the
ICES shows that these include several species of birds (guillemot and razorbill) and marine mammals (seals and
porpoises). The populations of some of these species in these areas have been considerably reduced (porpoises
and common seal). In addition, the wild salmon stock in the Baltic Sea is threatened.

In light of this information, does the Council believe that it is logical to prohibit the use of 2.5 km driftnets in the
Atlantic (outside coastal waters) and to authorize 21 km driftnets (not counting the reserve net) in the Baltic Sea?