WRITTEN QUESTION E-1758/02 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Statements made by the Director of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute during the 12th meeting of fisheries research organisations in Baiona, Galicia, on 5 June this year.
Date: 2002-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU waters, catch quota, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, fishery management, scientific report

C 28 E/132

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

(2003/C 28 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1758/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Statements made by the Director of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute during the 12th meeting

of fisheries research organisations in Baiona, Galicia, on 5 June this year

When the 12th meeting of fisheries research organisations was being held in Baiona, Galicia, on 5 June this
year, the Director of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute, Álvaro Fernández, said, in connection with the
European Commission’s proposal to reform the common fisheries policy, that it was pointless to propose
an across-the-board reduction in catches, as envisaged by the Commission when talking about cuts of
between 30 % and 60 %, but that the situation should be analysed for each fish stock in order to see what
reduction was needed for each species and in each fishing ground, whilst in any case taking measures
compatible with fishing activity. The Director of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute stressed that no fish
stocks in Community waters require a 40 % reduction and considered that any reduction of more than
20 % was excessive, since such a policy would be enough to allow recovery of stocks and fleet activity.

Has the Commission taken into account in its studies on the CFP reform scientific opinions such as those
expressed in Baiona by the Director of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute, a person of considerable
authority?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 July 2002)

The Commission uses scientists’ recommendations as the basis for its proposals on conservation and
management of fish stocks. However, in doing so, the Commission takes into account, in particular, the
scientific advice provided officially by the relevant scientific bodies, namely the International Council for
the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
(STECF). These bodies represent the views of different scientists from across Europe,
in a way which
ensures the highest possible degree of consensus among all the participating scientists.

Mr Álvaro Fernandez is a well known, highly respected scientist. The Commission, however, cannot use as
its scientific basis individual opinions by individual scientists, even less so those published in the media.

(2003/C 28 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1759/02

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Marína at Lefkada

A marina for leisure craft was recently inaugurated at Lefkada. The project was jointly funded by the
European Union.

What was the cost of building the marina? What amount did the EU contribute and what was the
contribution from the Greek Government, banks and private investors?

Which organisation carried out the work and what are the circumstances regarding ownership?

What were the general interest criteria on which the decision to approve joint Community funding was
based?

Would the project also be economically viable without Community funding? Has a cost-benefit analysis
been carried out?