WRITTEN QUESTION E-2515/02 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Council. Illegal fishing for tuna with drift nets.
Date: 2002-09-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belize, application of EU law, fishing controls, fishing net, fishing regulations, flag of convenience, illicit trade, international waters

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/177

Car parks are listed in Annex II to the Directive (10(b) (cid:1) ‘Urban development projects, including the
construction of shopping centres and car parks’) and require EIA in accordance with the Directive if the
project is likely to have a significant effect on the environment. The Directive does not specify what is a
‘significant’ effect and the competent authority must decide the issue on a case by case basis or by use of
thresholds. According to Article 4(4) of the Directive, this determination on whether an Annex II project
requires EIA must be made available to the public. Where EIA is required, the developer must prepare a
statement of the project’s likely effects on the environment. That statement is made available to the
environmental authorities and the public for comment. The statement and the comments received on it
must be taken into account in reaching the decision on whether or not the project should go ahead.
Information on the final decision must be also made available to the public.

If the Honourable Member considers that the requirements of the Directive have not been followed in this
case, a complaint can be made to the Commission, accompanied by the relevant evidence.

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2003/C 92 E/233)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2510/02

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council

(3 September 2002)

Subject: Election campaign in an important Member State

On 22 September 2002, elections will be held in the Federal Republic of Germany, one of the most
important Member States of the European Union.

In what areas and in what way is the current vigorous election campaign affecting the work of the
Council?

What outstanding negotiations and decisions is the campaign delaying and/or hampering?

Are not in particular the negotiations for the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union being
affected, especially the agricultural sector?

Reply

(19 December 2002)

As the Honourable Member’s question suggests, the work of the Council,
like that of any political
institution, does not take place in a vacuum and can indeed be affected by political events taking place in a
Member State. However, it does not seem possible to establish any precise causal link between an electoral
campaign in progress in one State and the outcome of a specific discussion in the Council.

In any event, as regards the example mentioned by the Honourable Member, it should be recalled that the
European Council undertook to conclude the enlargement negotiations by the time of the European
Council in Copenhagen, in order to make it possible for the Accession Treaty to be signed in spring 2003.

(2003/C 92 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2515/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: Illegal fishing for tuna with drift nets

(10 September 2002)

Fishing for tuna with drift nets, or ‘nets of death’, has been banned in the EU since 1 January 2002, largely
thanks to the initiatives launched by the European Parliament.

C 92 E/178

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

17.4.2003

Community fishermen have reported that vessels flying a flag of convenience have been found illegally
using drift nets in international waters this fishing year. According to these reports, the fisheries inspection
services were alerted and illegal fishing activities were detected on a vessel called the Albatross, which was
flying the Belize flag. Illegal gear was found in which cetaceans and other marine species had become
trapped.

Can the Council confirm that these reports are true?

Could it also provide all available information on the infringements committed to date in the current tuna
fishing year?

Is it aware of the existence of the Albatross and of its illegal activities?

Can it confirm what the vessel’s Flag State is and where its owners are from, and say where it lands it
catches?

What measures has it adopted or will it adopt with regard to the presumed illegal fishing activities carried
on by this vessel?

Reply

(19 December 2002)

The matter of the illegal fishing activities detected on a vessel called Albatross to which the Honourable
Member refers, has not been formally submitted to the Council.

In conformity with Council Regulation No 1936/2001 laying down control and inspection measures
relating to fishing for stocks of highly migratory fish, it is the responsibility of the Member States to
prohibit any landing of resources covered by an ICCAT conservation measure in force and to inform the
Commission of inspection findings. The Commission shall send this information as soon as possible to the
ICCAT Executive Secretariat.

In general, concerning the application of the Council Regulation No 1239/98 prohibiting the use of
driftnets, the Commission ensures the coordination and supervision of Member States’ compliance with
these obligations.

Regarding any further measures in order to prevent the illegal fishing activities, the Council is currently
examining the Commission Communication on the Community Action Plan for the eradication of illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing, with a view to its adoption by the Council in the near future.

(2003/C 92 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2516/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Illegal fishing for tuna with drift nets

(10 September 2002)

Fishing for tuna with drift nets, or ‘nets of death’, has been banned in the EU since 1 January 2002, largely
thanks to the initiatives launched by the European Parliament.

Community fishermen have reported that vessels flying a flag of convenience have been found illegally
using drift nets in international waters this fishing year. According to these reports, the fisheries inspection
services were alerted and illegal fishing activities were detected on a vessel called the Albatross, which was
flying the Belize flag. Illegal gear was found in which cetaceans and other marine species had become
trapped.