WRITTEN QUESTION E-3267/00 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Impact of aquaculture upon toxic blooms.
Date: 2000-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aquaculture, common fisheries policy, environmental impact, eutrophication

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/117

(2001/C 151 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3267/00

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: Impact of aquaculture upon toxic blooms

Has the Commission investigated whether there may be evidence to suggest a casual link between nutrient
pollution from aquaculture and toxic algal blooms, such as amnesic shellfish poisoning? In the light of the
debate over eutrophication, what action is the Commission taking against nutrient pollution within its
stated policy of promoting sustainable aquaculture?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Microalgae in marine and brackish waters in Europe regularly cause (cid:145)harmful effects(cid:146), in that they threaten
public health and cause economic damage to fisheries, including aquaculture, and tourism. These episodes
encompass a broad range of phenomena collectively referred to as (cid:145)harmful algal blooms(cid:146) (HAB).

Although it is known that some harmful algal species have bloomed for centuries, and others for
thousands of years, the size and the frequency of these blooms have increased.

The Commission sponsored in November 1998 an international workshop on harmful algal blooms in
European marine and brackish water, held in Kalmar, Sweden. According to the results of this workshop,
one of the key questions still to be answered is how to distinguish natural causes from anthropogenic
impact in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.

Several anthropogenic forces might be involved in the formation of HAB,
including eutrophication,
disruption of the marine food chains by overfishing, increase in the mobilisation of essential or inhibiting
trace metals to microalgal growth, atmospheric deposits (specifically rainwater containing nitrogen
compounds), and intensive aquaculture in certain sensitive marine areas.

the contribution from
Concerning the potential role of aquaculture in the development of HAB,
aquaculture discharges to nitrogen and phosphorous loads in marine and brackish waters is low in
comparison to other human activities (agriculture, urban population, industry) and usually concentrated in
the close vicinity of the source of emission. However, few studies have been made to determine the fate
and understand the risk associated with HAB cysts accumulated in sediments under and around fish farm
cages. There is still a chance that such habitats may act as reservoirs for dormant cysts. Further studies may
be needed to understand the fate of HAB cysts and other viable units accumulated under farm cages,
including the effects of fallowing periods and the potential of cysts for bloom inoculation under given
environmental circumstances.

With reference to the second question, since the 1970s an extensive body of environmental legislation has
been adopted under the EC Treaty. Environmental protection has also assumed a central role in the objects
of the Community.

The Community legislation provides for a range of control measures over aquaculture impacts on the
environment, including the use of environmental impact assessment procedures for intensive aquaculture
siting, design and operation; limited access rights for water; effluent control techniques involving feed
control ratios,
limited use of drugs, antibiotics and other chemicals; development of user groups
agreements, to avoid use conflicts and to allow for effective area management; and limits upon introduc-
tions of exotic species.

Additionally, the development of best management practices through codes of conduct and practice, as
well as the use of trade-related techniques such as product certification schemes are encouraged.

C 151 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

The Community has recently (December 1999) adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying
down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries
sector (1) to modernise aid to aquaculture within the framework of the reform of the structural funds.

The influence of aquaculture on the environment will in the future be of paramount importance. All grant
aided aquaculture projects involving intensive methods must conform to the provisions of Directive 85/
337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (2) as
amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (3).
In this context the costs relating to
environmental impact studies will be eligible for aid.

In order to encourage clean operations, project investments using technology that substantially reduce
negative effects on the environment may benefit from an additional financial aid provided by the Member
State of up to 10 %.

Finally, other measures of collective interest can be supported including the improvement of aquaculture
sites, the collective treatment of aquaculture effluent, the eradication of the pathological risks of fish
farming and the collection of data for environmental management as part of an integrated coastal zone
management plan.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2001/C 151 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3268/00

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: The impact of long-line fishing upon seabirds

Recent reports have highlighted the threat of long-line fishing to certain species of seabirds such as
albatrosses. In the light of Directive 79/409/EEC (1) on the conservation of wild birds and the July 1999
(cid:145)Fisheries
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, entitled:
Management and Nature Conservation in the Marine Environment(cid:146), can the Commission outline what
action it is taking, or plans to take, to counter the impact of long-line fishing upon seabird populations?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(2001/C 151 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3378/00

by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 November 2000)

Subject: Sea birds and longline fishing

Given the negative effects of longline fishing which kills between 50 000 and 100 000 Northern Fulmars a
year in the Northeast Atlantic and given that the survival of a number of albatross species is threatened,
what concrete measures is the Commission prepared to take to ensure that EU fishing vessels take the
necessary measures to ensure that these unnecessary deaths are avoided?