WRITTEN QUESTION E-1525/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Use of PESCA Community Initiative resources and Community funding of the fisheries sector in Portugal.
Date: 2000-05-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU aid, Portugal, fishing industry

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/49

(2001/C 89 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1525/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 May 2000)

Subject: Use of PESCA Community Initiative resources and Community funding of the fisheries sector in

Portugal

The last Community Support Framework (1994-1999) saw the implementation of the PESCA Community
Initiative on the restructuring of the fisheries sector. Moreover, during the same period the fisheries sector
also received Community aid through the structural and political actions of the European Union.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. What level of resources was allocated to each Member State under the PESCA Initiative and how much

money was in fact transferred during the 1994-1999 period?

2. Which projects were funded in Portugal during the same period under the PESCA Initiative? What was

the duration and level of funding of those projects?

3. What was the overall amount allocated and in fact transferred to Portugal through the structural

actions and the internal policies of the European Union in respect of the fisheries sector?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2000)

Amounts allocated and actually transferred to each Member State under the PESCA initiative in the

1.
period 1994-1999

Member State

Allocated

Transferred

(€ million)

Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Austria
Portugal
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom

2,55
20,31
23,75
31,61
46,83
34,48
8,01

37,8

12,86

29,87
3,41
3,77
43,88

2,01
14,51
18,28
18,88
20,64
17,18
6,08
16,89

3,15

8,78
1,55
1,34
30,13

2.
1 449 PESCA projects were approved in the period 1994-1999. 1 408 of these were charged to the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), 40 to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
and 1 to the European Social Fund (ESF).

Total commitments in the same period were € 29,87 million, and transfers amounted to € 8,78 million at
end 1999. The projects will continue to be implemented until end June 2001 and the final payment will
be made by 31 December 2001.

C 89 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

The total amounts allocated to Portugal and actually transferred though the structural measures and

3.
the Community(cid:146)s internal policies in the period 1994-1999 are:

Programme

Modernisation of the economy
The Azores (Pedraa II)
Madeira (Popram II)
I. C. PESCA
Controls
Offshore coastal fishing

Allocated

197 762 000
25 945 000
15 200 000
29 868 000
33 138 919
648 346

(€)

Transferred

181 563 400
15 148 200
8 736 400
8 778 000
9 221 777
527 250

(2001/C 89 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1527/00

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Cockle fishing

The effects of cockle fishing have been a topic of discussion in the Netherlands for years. Cockles are an
important food source for oyster-catchers, eider ducks, greenshanks, avocets and other long-legged waders.
Oyster-catchers have declined in number in recent years and this winter there was a sudden and as yet
unexplained large number of deaths among eider ducks. Furthermore, there are strong indications that
cockle fishing is having long-term effects on sediment management in the Wadden Sea (1).

Cockle fishing takes place in the Wadden Sea, which is listed as a protected area under the Wild Birds
Directive and as a special protection zone under the Habitats Directive.

Since 1998 a quota of 10 000 tonnes of cockle meat has been in place. This figure is higher that the
amount ever fished. From 1984 to 1997 inclusive, the average catch was 4000 tonnes. Only in 1998 was
it significantly higher at 9 338 tonnes.

Fisheries policy in the Netherlands is laid down in the 1993 regional economic plan for sea and coastal
fishing, which is supplemented by a 1999 policy decision. Under the relevant provisions, fishing is
prohibited in 26 % of the Wadden Sea. In addition, the shellfish sector has drawn up its own management
plan for the area in which fishing is allowed, and where it has closed a further 5 %. In the remaining area.
i.e. 69 % of the Wadden Sea, fishing is virtually free of restrictions.

In Denmark there is hardly any cockle fishing any more and in Germany none whatsoever.

Does the Commission consider that cockle fishing has expanded to such an extent that it should be listed
as a new activity within the meaning of the Wild Birds and Habitats directives?

Does it consider that, if the existing activities cause significant damage, the policy should be adapted to
allow the area to recover?

Should compensation be provided and, if so, in what form?

Does it consider that cockle fishing is damaging the habitats of protected birds and biotopes such as
mussel beds and sea grass meadows?

In the Commission(cid:146)s view, is cockle fishing damaging the mudflats and thus the future food supply?

The agreement between the government and the cockle fishermen is that 60 % of the food requirements of
birds in the Wadden Sea is reserved for the birds. Does the Commission consider that 60 % is adequate
given the fact that there are scarcely no other sources of supply in the Wadden Sea and those that exist are
declining in volume and quality?