WRITTEN QUESTION E-3599/02 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Recuperation of the fish and shellfish resources of Galicia in the wake of the Prestige disaster.
Date: 2002-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Galicia, aquaculture, fishing industry, indemnification, oil pollution, shellfish farming, structural policy, support policy

10.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

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(2003/C 161 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3594/02

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

(13 December 2002)

Subject: EU measures for suitable technical and professional training of crews of vessels transporting

hazardous goods in European waters

The ‘Prestige’ disaster (the vessel was commanded by the captain and only two other persons, while the
22-strong crew lacked all technical training and had been recruited under highly insecure conditions) has
highlighted the need to lay down strict and binding rules for all vessels present in EU waters. What
measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure this?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

The Commission has made express allowance for the human factor in the measures it is recommending for
stepping up maritime safety following the loss of the ‘Prestige’.

Accordingly, a proposal was sent to the Council and Parliament on 13 January 2003 (1) for the amendment
of Directive 2001/25/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of
training of seafarers (2) to introduce a Community system of assessment and recognition of certificates of
competency issued to seafarers outside the Union.

(1) COM(2003) 1 final.
(2) OJ L 136, 18.5.2002.

(2003/C 161 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3599/02

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

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Recuperation of the fish and shellfish resources of Galicia in the wake of the ‘Prestige’ disaster

What extraordinary measures will the Commission propose to aid the recuperation of the fish and shellfish
resources of the coastal areas of Galicia affected by the Prestige disaster?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

On 20 December 2002 the Council adopted a Regulation instituting a specific measure aimed at
promoting the recovery of fish stocks and aquaculture sites affected by the oil slick caused by the tanker
‘Prestige’ (1).

The Regulation lays down exceptional supporting measures for the persons and enterprises engaged in
fisheries, the shellfish industry and aquaculture in the Spanish coastal areas affected by the oil pollution
from the Prestige.

The support measures comprise:

(cid:1) compensation to persons and owners of enterprises for the temporary cessation of their activities,

(cid:1) aid for replacing fishing gear,

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(cid:1) aid for cleaning, repairing and reconstructing shellfish and aquaculture sites,

(cid:1) compensation for replacing shellfish stocks.

The Regulation also provides for a number of derogations from the criteria which expenditure must satisfy
in order to receive part-financing from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) under
Regulation (EC) No 2792/199 (2), in order to facilitate and speed up the provision of aid to these suffering
as a result of the pollution.

Furthermore, the Regulation authorises the release of additional appropriations (EUR 30 million) under the
aid provided for by Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 aiming to promote the conversion of fishing
vessels and of fishermen that were, up to 1999, dependent on the fishing agreement with Morocco (3).

The Commission would also ask the Honourable Member to refer to its answers to written questions
E-3362/02 (4) and 3593/02 (5), and to the answer given to Written Question E-3632/02 (6)
from
Mr Sánchez García, which will provide him with an overview of the initiatives it has taken and of various
measures which may be applicable in response to the shipwreck of the oil tanker Prestige.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2372/2002 of 20 December 2002 instituting specific measures to compensate the
Spanish fisheries, shellfish industry and aquaculture, affected by the oil spills from the Prestige, OJ L 358,
31.12.2002.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements

regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector, OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 of 17 December 2001 aiming to promote the conversion of fishing vessels
and of fishermen that were, up to 1999, dependent on the fishing agreement with Morocco, OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(4) See page 85.
(5) See page 110.
(6) See page 120.

(2003/C 161 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3601/02

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

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Pollution caused by the fuel oil transported by the ‘Prestige’ (cid:1) proposed action to fight the long-

term effects of the pollution

A number of news reports state that the fuel oil transported by the Prestige is highly toxic. What is the
chemical nature of the fuel oil transported by the Prestige and spilled by it off the Galician coast? What are
the likely short- and long-term consequences for the ecosystem? What measures are proposed to clean up
the marine environment of Galicia, given the highly sensitive position of this region of Europe?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

The oil carried by the ‘Prestige’ is not only authorised but is also registered by the ISO (International
Organisation for Standardisation) as a heavy fuel oil.

This product is a residue of the refining process. It is a highly viscous pollutant which is very hard to clean
up once it spreads at sea and along the coast. It is the most polluting type of fuel oil, which is why tighter
safety measures are required.

At its meeting on 6 December 2002, the Transport Council agreed,
Commission, that single hull tankers carrying heavy oils should be banned from EU ports.

following a proposal from the