WRITTEN QUESTION E-2458/02 by Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission. Special situation of small-scale fishing in extremely remote regions in the new common fisheries policy.
Date: 2002-09-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Azores, common fisheries policy, fishing industry, peripheral region, region dependent on fishing, traditional fishing

C 52 E/172

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2002)

The Commission is indeed aware of the initiative referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Union-Vietnam Co-operation Agreement, which was signed in 1995, states in its first Article that
respect for human rights and democratic principles is the basis of our co-operation. Questions related to
the respect for and the promotion of human rights are addressed in meetings of the Union-Vietnam Joint
Commission established under the Co-operation Agreement. The Commission, together with the Member
States represented in Vietnam, therefore monitors closely human rights developments in Vietnam as part
of the policy of the Union to encourage and support the continued commitment of the Government of
Vietnam to progress in the field of human rights. The Commission also participates with the Member
States in regular dialogue with and in all démarches to the Government of Vietnam on human rights
issues.

(2003/C 52 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2458/02

by Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 September 2002)

Subject: Special situation of small-scale fishing in extremely remote regions in the new common fisheries

policy

Is the Commission aware of the situation of small-scale fishing in extremely remote regions such as the
Azores? Because there is virtually no continental shelf on the coast of the Azores, local fishermen gain
nothing from the 6 to 12 mile zone. They are involved in deep sea fishing and their fishing waters are
therefore open. The small-scale fishing sector cannot compete with more industrial fishing and is no threat
to it. Moreover, fish stocks appear to suffer little as a result of the small-scale fishing effort. Does the
Commission recognise the small-scale and special character of this type of fishing?

Small-scale fishing in these areas is likely to disappear unless measures are taken. Is the Commission aware
of the degree to which these areas are dependent on fishing of this kind? These regions are often largely
dependent on small-scale fishing and appropriate alternatives are not always available. Is the Commission
also aware of the working conditions and safety in this fishing fleet?

What measures and initiatives does the Commission envisage to protect this special fisheries sector and
how are these measures reflected in the proposals for the new common fisheries policy? If the Commission
will not be taking any measures, how does it justify its decision?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2002)

In the context of the preparatory work of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) the needs of
the outermost regions have always been taken fully into account, given the specific nature of the fisheries
sector in these regions.

It should be noted in this regard that the Green Paper on the Future of the Common Fisheries Policy (1)
refers to the approach that should be taken in order to provide support to these regions when adopting
measures for the conservation and management of resources or within the framework of reinforcing the
economic and social dimension of the CFP.

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/173

What is more, this approach is also explicitly mentioned in the document that the Commission presented
to the Seville European Council (21 and 22 June 2002) regarding Article 299 of the EC Treaty and the
implementation of the sustainable development strategy for the outermost regions.

In addition, the Commission has been able to meet with a delegation of representatives of the fisheries
sector in the Azores. The meeting provided an opportunity to hold an in-depth exchange of views on the
characteristics of the sector in the region. The information presented by the delegation, especially when
combined with that given by the other outermost regions, provides a detailed basis for taking their needs
into consideration in the context of the reform of the CFP, in line with the Commission’s commitments.

(1) COM(2001) 135 final.

(2003/C 52 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2459/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 August 2002)

Subject: Water purity

Is the Commission satisfied that the standards used in testing bathing beaches for the cleanliness of sea
water are stringent enough in the light of recent evidence?

(2003/C 52 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2460/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 September 2002)

Subject: Beach cleanliness

Will the Commission estimate the proportion of EU bathing beaches approved as meeting minimum
standards of water cleanliness in each year for the last five years?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-2459/02 and E-2460/02
given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2002)

The 1976 Bathing Water Directive (Council Directive 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the
quality of bathing water (1)) reflects the state of knowledge and experience of the early 1970s, both as
regards the technical-scientific basis, the managerial approach and the involvement of the public. This is
one of the reasons why the Commission is scheduled to make a proposal to revise the Directive.

The water quality standards which will be brought forward in the new Directive are based on recent World
Health Organisation (WHO) research and represent the latest scientific/technical knowledge.

Every year before the start of the bathing season, the Commission publishes a report on the quality of
19 000 bathing waters in the EU. The report publishes the degree of compliance of bathing waters with
respect to two standards: the legally binding and imperative standard and the stricter guide standard, both
defined by the above-mentioned 1976 Bathing Water Directive. The report is published in document
form (2) and can also be found on the Internet (3).