WRITTEN QUESTION E-0383/02 by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission. Driftnets.
Date: 2002-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: by-catch, common fisheries policy, fishing industry, fishing net, fishing regulations, marine mammal, protection of animal life

C 205 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

2. to 5. and 7. to 10.
available on the Commission’s web site (2) may contain some relevant information.

Certain documents and studies already available or which will shortly be made

Further information on recycling processes and on market opportunities for the recycling of materials
including plastic waste will be gathered to the extent necessary for the preparation of the thematic strategy
on recycling which is programmed in the 6th Environmental Action Programme. Any studies containing
such information will also be made available through the Commission’s web site.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) Relevant studies in page http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/facts_en.htm include:

1 Mechanical recycling of PVC wastes, Prognos;
1 Chemical Recycling of Plastics Waste (PVC and other resins), TNO;
1 Evaluation of Costs and Benefits for the Achievement of Reuse and the Recycling Targets for the different

Packaging Materials in the Frame of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC;

1 Cost of Municipal Waste Management in the EU, Ecotec (still to be uploaded).
Other information may be available in COM(1999) 752 or from page http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/events/
recycling/recycling.htm.

(2002/C 205 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0383/02

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Driftnets

Since 1 January 2002 the use of driftnets has been banned. This is the result of a fierce battle between
fishermen and environmentalists who considered this technique of fishing to be harmful to dolphins. Now
the pelagic trawl is under attack.

Professional fishermen believe this ban to be unfounded. Nevertheless, the decision still stands.

It is also understood that fishermen in the Mediterranean, faced with the same problem, are able to
continue working if their nets are equipped with ‘sound sytems’ to repel marine mammals.

Will the Commission say whether this method is recognised? Can this method be adopted by Atlantic
fishermen to enable them to continue working?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2002)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1239/98 of 8 June 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 894/97 laying down
certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources (1) entered into force on 1 January
2002. This means that the ban on drift-net fisheries targeting highly migratory pelagic species now applies
in all Community waters and to all Community vessels, with the exception of waters covered by Council
Regulation (EC) No 88/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain technical measures for the
conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound (2).

Regarding the issue of acoustic alarms (so-called pingers), there are currently no provisions in Community
legislation, which authorise the use of large pelagic drift-nets equipped with pingers. Pingers are a
promising technology, which may be useful in order to reduce the incidental catches of small cetaceans, at
least in some specific fisheries. This has been confirmed by the positive effect seen in the reduction in by-
catches of harbour porpoises in the Danish gillnet fishery. However, their effectiveness cannot be directly
extended to other fisheries, since both the species and the conditions in which incidental catches occurs
are different.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Scientific work on acoustic alarms is in progress, with the support of Community funds to tackle the issue
of incidental catches of small cetaceans.

Preliminary information from sea trials on the use of pingers in pelagic trawls however are not
encouraging and probably, a solution should be sought through the use of different selection/separator
devices. Trials along both lines are currently being undertaken in the United Kingdom.

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998.
(2) OJ L 9, 15.1.1998.

(2002/C 205 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0385/02

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Recreational fishing

In the context of the reform of the common fisheries policy the European Parliament has submitted its
report on the Green Paper (A5-0470/2001). There is absolutely no mention of recreational or leisure
fishing in either the report or the Green Paper.

However, it appears that such fishing has economic repercussions in coastal regions and also that the
fishermen involved have quite an extensive knowledge of the marine environment.

Has the Commission already carried out studies into the social and economic status of recreational fishing
in the European Union? If not, does it intend to do so? What status does it intend to give to recreational
fishing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2002)

The Commission is aware of the importance the economic and social repercussions recreational fishing can
have in coastal regions. In some of those regions recreational fishing represents a necessary adjunct to
traditional fishing, providing the people living there with an essential source of income.

At the same time it has to be recognised that leisure fishing activities differ appreciably according to the
regions in which they are carried on. Proposing a framework for action across the whole of
the
Community covering the different kinds of fishing would be difficult therefore. The Commission takes the
view, as indicated in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a
Community system for fisheries and aquaculture (1), that it is a matter first for the Member States to see to
it that recreational and leisure fishing activities are consistent with the management of stocks.

Because of the differences in situations from one region to another the Commission has not considered it
advisable to carry out studies on this aspect of the industry. As it explained to the heads of the European
associations, studies of this kind are very costly to undertake and would not make it possible to arrive at
practical conclusions.

(1) OJ L 389, 31.12.1992.