WRITTEN QUESTION E-3503/02 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission. Wild birds caught in long-line fishing lines.
Date: 2002-12-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, bird, by-catch, protection of animal life, sea fishing

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/161

(2003/C 155 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3503/02

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Wild birds caught in ‘long-line’ fishing lines

Would the Commission inform me as to what action they are taking to ensure that fishing boats in the EU
are taking steps to prevent seabirds becoming caught when they are ‘long-lining’?

Hundreds of thousands of seabirds are caught in this way each year and die a cruel death.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2003)

The Commission is aware of the problem and shares the concern of the Honourable Member.

It is a particular problem in the Southern Hemisphere, where seabirds are protected by the Commission for
the Conservation of Antarctic Maríne Living Resources,
(CCAMLR) rules, transcribed in Community
legislation (1).

Since 1998, CCAMLR has adopted new technical measures concerning the reduction of the incidental
mortality of seabirds and marine mammals. In July 2002, the Commission presented a proposal for a
Council Regulation (2), bringing together in a single instrument all the provisions concerning technical
measures applying to fishing by Community vessels in the Convention area. Articles 7 and 8 of the
proposed regulation refer specifically to incidental mortality of seabirds in the course of longline and trawl
fishing.

Furthermore, one of
the four International Plans of Action (IPOA), under Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), aims to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries; this is a voluntary
instrument within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which provides further
protection through national schemes.

The Commission is aware of the need to improve the present situation. Before the end of 2003, it intends
to present legislative proposals to increase seabirds protection in Union waters, as envisaged in the Action
Plan (3).

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures
applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2113/96, Article 14 paragraph 3
and Annex 4 (cid:1) OJ L 6, 10.1.1998.

(2) COM(2002) 355 final.
(3) COM(2002) 186 final.

(2003/C 155 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3513/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Violation of Community environmental legislation by Greece

It has been reported that a delegation from the Environment Directorate-General arrived on a visit to
Greece on 15 November to examine violations of Community environmental legislation by Greece.

Will the Commission say which cases of violations of Community legislation the above delegation has
examined, what conclusions it has reached and what measures the Commission intends to take to ensure
that Greece complies with Community legislation?