WRITTEN QUESTION E-1503/99 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Situation of the fishing fleet belonging to EC-Argentinean joint enterprises.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Argentina, European company, fisheries policy, fishery management, fishing agreement, fishing fleet, mixed-ownership company

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/25

(2000/C 170 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1503/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Situation of the fishing fleet belonging to EC-Argentinean joint enterprises

Before the fisheries agreement between the EU and Argentina expired, the Argentinean Government
thereby
unilaterally adopted a series of measures which blatantly discriminate against
infringing and contradicting the provisions of the agreement. They concern the allocation and reduction
of fishing quotas, the establishment of marketing areas applicable to the freezer fleet only, a reduction in
the number of Community crew members, restrictions making it difficult for Community workers to
obtain visas, etc. This situation prompted Community ship-owners (cid:129) mainly in Galicia (cid:129) to lodge a
complaint with the European Court of Justice against the European Commission, on the grounds that the
Commission had failed to offer the fleet adequate legal protection,
in that the EU institutions were
powerless against the measures adopted unilaterally by the Argentinean Government.

the EU fleet,

Can the Commission say what steps it intends to take to safeguard the interests of EU-Argentinean joint
enterprises in Argentinean waters? By what date does it envisage adopting them? Why has the EU hitherto
never made any efforts to this end?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1999)

In the last few years, catches of Merluza hubbsi in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Argentina have
risen substantially, threatening the conservation of this stock. Faced with this situation, the Argentinian
Government declared an (cid:145)emergencia pesquera(cid:146) and adopted a series of management and conservation
measures.

Some of these measures have had an impact on the activity of vessels operating under the fisheries
agreement between the Community and Argentina. Their adoption without consulting the Community has
led the Community to consider that they affect the general balance of the agreement.

The Commission has several times made its position clear to the Argentinian side, in particular with regard
to the difference in treatment between freezer ships and vessels taking fresh fish. Payment of the balance of
money for scientific and technical assistance under the fisheries agreement between the Community and
Argentina has been blocked.

Despite the fact that this agreement and the rights and obligations arising out of it for the contracting
parties expired on 24 May 1999, and that both the joint enterprises and vessels transferred under the
agreement are entities in Argentinian law, the Commission is maintaining regular contact with the
Argentine authorities and is following developments closely.

(2000/C 170 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1505/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Situation of the fishing fleet in the NAFO area in the context of bilateral relations between the

European Union and Canada

The Community fishing fleet, which operates in international waters under multilateral NAFO control, has
seen its ships considerably reduced in numbers over the last few years and the allowable catches have also
been reduced. EU and Canadian delegations met recently in Cologne to sign a commercial and economic
cooperation agreement, which will not cover fishery relations. There are therefore no guarantees that
Canada will repeal Law C-27 which authorises the country to fish outside the 200-mile exclusive economic