WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3392/98 by Carlos CARNERO GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Support measures for the black hake fishing fleet in Cádiz (Spain)
Date: 1998-11-17
Institutions: CARNERO GONZALEZ, European Parliament
Subjects: Andalusia, FIFG, Mauritania, Senegal, catch quota, fishing agreement, fishing area, fishing industry













EUR-Lex - 91998E3392 - EN






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91998E3392

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3392/98 by Carlos CARNERO GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Support measures for the black hake fishing fleet in Cádiz (Spain)  


Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0076 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3392/98by Carlos Carnero González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(17 November 1998)Subject: Support measures for the black hake fishing fleet in Cádiz (Spain)A recent visit to Cádiz province - whose socioeconomic problems are clearly reflected in its having the highest unemployment rate in the EU - gave me the opportunity of acquainting myself with the plight currently facing the fisheries sector, whose activities include catching black hake in Mauritanian and Senegalese fishing grounds, through information supplied by the Professional Association of Shipowning Companies (Asemar).Fishing activities in Cádiz as a means of boosting the economy and employment require protection and encouragement. Furthermore, catching black hake is an activity with distinctive features which, whilst neither worrying coastal states nor carrying the risk of overexploitation, sees the flee engaged in it disadvantaged under international agreements, is in need of more markets and incurs high operational costs.Bearing in mind the above, does the Commission not believe it necessary to introduce measures such as those proposed by Asemar, which would include dispatching experts representing the various administrative authorities - beginning at Community level - to conduct a detailed examination in situ of the said activity and thus be primed to defend them successfully in the next negotiations on new fisheries agreements or on amendments to those already in force, as well as to promote the introduction of a subsidy for port workers per kilogramme landed, thereby ensuring that the cost of unloading to the shipowner would in no event exceed the reasonable level of 4 or 5 % of the total value of the fish at first sale?If so, what measures does it intend to take?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission(18 December 1998)The Commission prepares its negotiating position on international fisheries agreements with non-Community countries, including those for black hake, on the basis of information supplied by the national administrations. This information is established following consultations with the national interests concerned in the industry.In line with its international undertakings, the Commission considers that coastal countries have sovereignty over evaluating the fishing resources in their own waters and calculating the quantities that may be caught there, in particular by the fleets of third countries. The Commission takes account of the best scientific advice available when considering its demands.The terms of access to resources in the waters of third countries are thus drawn up on the basis of these two parameters. The Commission believes this approach to be the best for reconciling defence of the Community fleet with the need to adjust fishing opportunities in line with sustainable fishing.Furthermore, the Commission would note that the aids mentioned by the Honourable Member would not be eligible for assistance from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and that the Community's international commitments, in particular within the WTO, do not allow it to contemplate such aid.