WRITTEN QUESTION P-0233/02 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Commission proposal for a Community Plan of Action fore reducing incidental catch of seabirds on longline fisheries.
Date: 2002-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: action programme, bird, by-catch, fisheries policy, protection of animals

C 172 E/166

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2002)

In March 1997, in response to a request by Member States, the Statistical Programme Committee set up a
working party within Eurostat on cultural statistics (Leadership Group (LEG)-Culture). In November 1999,
the Commission adopted the conclusions and recommendations of the LEG project, which proposed, in
particular, the establishment of a working party on cultural statistics in order to safeguard the continuation
of activities.

The LEG final report on cultural statistics in the EU appeared in 2000 and looked at, moreover, those
organisations that produce cultural statistics on a regular basis. The working party carries out its work in
cooperation with Member States. This report is available on request from Unit E3 (Eurostat: Population
and social conditions 3/2000/E/No 1).

In 1996, the Commission financed two studies in collaboration with France and Spain. The project was
coordinated by the French Ministry of Culture.

These two studies were carried out by ERIES and DAFSA, which published the following:

6 Reference index for cultural statistics in Europe 6 1996 edition 6 Office for Official Publications

(OPOCE), Luxembourg ISBN 92-827-9207-2;

6 Cultural statistics in Europe; initial data, 1996. Printed in France 6 ISBN 2-11003721-0.

Furthermore, regarding the point about an inventory, the Commission has neither the instruments nor the
expertise needed to draw up an inventory of Europe’s artistic and cultural heritage. The protection of
artistic and cultural heritage is the sole responsibility of Member States.

(2002/C 172 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0233/02

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2002)

Subject: Commission proposal for a Community Plan of Action fore reducing incidental catch of seabirds

on longline fisheries

Globally, thousands of petrels, albatrosses and other seabird species are threatened by the practice of
longlining. In response to this threat, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has adopted an
International Plan of Action on seabirds. The FAO agreement requires each Member State, including the
European Community, to draw a National Plan of Action to reduce seabird by-catch.

Given that DG Environment is responsible for the integration of environmental aspects into other policies,
including fisheries, how and when is the Commission proposing to ensure the implementation of the
International FAO Action Plan for Seabirds and the mitigation and research measures it proposes in
Community and third-country water?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2002)

The problem highlighted by the Honourable Member seems to affect mainly albatrosses and other species
in the Southern Oceans. The main problems seem to be caused by non-Community vessels fishing either
in international waters or in their own waters. The Community has no direct legal power to control the
activities of non-Community vessels in these areas but will continue to work for application of necessary
measures within Regional Fisheries Organisations.

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/167

The Community contributed actively to the preparation of the international plan of action for reducing
incidental catches of seabirds in longline fisheries. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its
contracting parties subsequently approved the international plan. This approval entails the voluntary
elaboration of a plan of action at State level. Therefore, the Community is preparing a Community action
plan to be presented at the next Committee for Fisheries (COFI, February 2003). At this stage, the
Community has presented at the last COFI (February 2001) a preliminary plan of action in which the need
for a better assessment of the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries is underlined.

Whenever Regional Fisheries Organisation to which the Community is a contracting party has agreed on
measures to protect seabirds these measures have been implemented in Community legislation.

The following measures have been taken by the Council for the Conservation of Antarctic Maríne Living
Resources, (CCAMLR to which the Community is party), in Antarctic waters, and been incorporated into
Community Fishing legislation (1), (2):

6 using bird-scaring line with plastic streamers attached;

6 weighting the lines so that they sink faster and pose less risk;

6 prohibiting the discharge of offal at sea, which attracts seabirds to the lines;

6 setting the longlines at night, when albatrosses and other seabirds are less likely to be foraging;

6 using only thawed bait.

Some or all of these measures might be considered for other areas as required. However, whatever measure
is proposed, it should be adopted and implemented in the framework of the Common Fishery policy. As a
general principle, Commission will propose measures aiming at avoiding the impact from longline fishing
on seabirds when and where there is sound evidence on the existence of the problem and on the need of
Community action to properly address it.

There is no clear evidence on the extent to which the problem occurs in Community waters or in relation
to fishing activities by Community vessels outside the CCAMLAR convention area. Thus, answers from
Member States to the Commission’s request of information when preparing the Community Action Plan
for reducing incidental catches of seabirds in longline fishing, did not indicate that Member States
perceived this as a problem in their fisheries.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures
applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2113/96, OJ L 6, 10.1.1998.
(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2479/98 of 12 November 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 66/98 laying down

certain conservation and control measures applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic, OJ L 309, 19.11.1998.

(2002/C 172 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0247/02

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Answer to written question P-3373/01 on relations between the European Union and the

Palestinian Authority

In its answer of 15 January 2002 to written question P-3373/01 (1) the Commission, instead of answering
the queries concerning the relations between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority, makes a
detailed analysis of the role and work of the IMF,
in which it guarantees that the European funding
devoted to direct support for the Palestinian Authority is being used properly.