WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/02 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Sustainable fishing policy and the Atlantic Dawn.
Date: 2002-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, Mauritania, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, fishing agreement, fishing fleet, fishing grounds, fishing rights, infringement of EU law, ship's flag

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/171

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2002)

In January 2001 the Community and Chile came to an arrangement that allowed temporary suspension of
the proceedings initiated by the Community in the World Trade Organisation and by Chile at the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Community’s complaint to the WTO was over the Chilean rules held to obstruct access to Chilean
ports for landings and transhipments by Community vessels operating in international waters.

The Commission is closely monitoring implementation of the arrangements of 25 January 2001. It has
held several meetings with the Chilean authorities in order to settle all practical points of detail with
particular reference to launching of the joint fishing programme. Given the particular allocation of
responsibilities the Spanish authorities have also been directly involved in these meetings. Most of the
technical points having now been settled, the Commission awaits, for transmission to Chile and launching
of the programme, the list of Spanish vessels that are to participate.

On creation of a new OFR for the South East Pacific,
following the latest contacts between the
Commission and the Chilean authorities an international consultation will be held in Chile in May. The
Community and Chile have invited a number of parties with an interest in swordfish fishing in the South
East Pacific. The main aim will be to determine terms of reference and the most appropriate form of
multilateral cooperation.

(2002/C 205 E/183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Sustainable fishing policy and the ‘Atlantic Dawn’

In its Green Paper on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (1) the Commission made explicit its
desire to see the overcapacity in the EU fishing fleet reduced, calling for this to be done in a manner
reflecting a sustainable and responsible policy where stakeholders are suitably represented.

Does the Commission’s re-registration of the 144 metres ‘Atlantic Dawn’ as a fishing vessel honour this
commitment, given that Irish pelagic capacity will have to be significantly reduced to accommodate a
single vessel which will inevitably deprive other fishermen of their employment?

Does not
Organization’s International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity?

this re-registration contradict

the EU’s commitment

to the UN Food and Agriculture

Given the nature of the EU-Mauritania agreement, much of the fish caught by the ‘Atlantic Dawn’ will be
transshipped to the Canaries and exported back to West Africa. Will the Commission indicate what impact
it expects the agreement to have on local artisanal fisheries and local marketing networks in West Africa?

(1) COM(2001) 135.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2002)

The Commission Decision 2002/104/EC of 31 January 2002 amending Decision 98/125/EC approving the
multiannual guidance programme for the fishing fleet of Ireland for the period from 1 January 1997 to
31 December 2001 (1) altered the Irish multiannual guidance programme (MAGP) target in the pelagic

C 205 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

sector in response to a request to take account of additional fishing opportunities in Mauritanian and
adjacent waters. The Commission is obliged to consider any such request in the light of scientific advice.
This was given by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. The Commission
approved the exact volume requested, which is in fact less than the estimated fishing opportunities
following the reduction of fishing effort in the area by Eastern countries in recent decades.

Whether or not a Member State meets MAGP targets is a separate issue. Ireland is currently outside its
required MAGP capacity targets for the pelagic segment ? this is illegal and an infringement procedure is
under way against Ireland. The situation must be rectified by the Irish authorities as soon as possible.

Registration of the ‘Atlantic Dawn’ is also a separate issue. The Commission does not register vessels ?
that is an obligation of Member States. The ‘Atlantic Dawn’ has not at any stage been entered on the Irish
fishing vessel register and thus on the Community fishing vessel register but is flying a Member State’s flag
? this is illegal and an infringement procedure is under way against Ireland.

The international action plan for fishing capacity management adopted by the United Nations Organisation
for Food and Agriculture (FAO) says that ‘States should take measures to prevent or eliminate excess
fishing capacity and should ensure that levels of fishing effort are commensurate with sustainable use of
fishery resources’. Access to resources outside Community waters depends not only on the biological
condition of the stocks but on the fishing rights that can be obtained by the Community by negotiation
with the relevant coastal states. No contradiction is involved in adjusting the Community’s fishing capacity
to the catch possibilities it can obtain in third country waters.

The Atlantic Dawn has never operated under the Community/Mauritania fisheries agreement, which limits
access to Mauritanian waters to Community vessels of less than 9500 gross tons (GT). The agreement
contains provisions, such as specification of fishing zones and technical measures, designed to protect local
small-scale fisheries. In addition some of the specific actions funded by the Community under it are
designed to support and develop the small-scale sector and local marketing networks.

In particular, the latter should benefit from a provision in the agreement that Community fishing vessels
are to make a certain number of landings at Mauritanian ports.

(1) OJ L 38, 8.2.2002.

(2002/C 205 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Training for fishermen

On 4 April 2001 the Commission submitted a communication to the Council and the European
Parliament on the training and recruitment of seafarers (1). That communication aimed to provide a
comprehensive study into the current situation as regards maritime education and training, describe the
legislative and other measures already taken by the Commission and encourage the adoption of further
measures to improve the situation both by the social partners in maritime transport and providers of
maritime education and training.