WRITTEN QUESTION P-0500/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Pelagic pair trawls and death of dolphins.
Date: 2003-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: by-catch, fishing regulations, fishing vessel, marine mammal, protection of animal life

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/209

site area in June 2001 produced a report accompanied by photographic evidence. In the light of the above,
the Commission concluded that Greece had complied with the requirements of the Court judgement.

In April 2002, the Commission received a complaint in relation to the operation of the installation in
Messomouri, the delay of the construction of the installations at Korakia and the non-rehabilitation of the
Kouroupitos site. The Commission has raised the issue with the Greek authorities. The official reply of the
Greek authorities is currently under examination with a view to assessing whether Greece has complied
with Community environmental legislation.

In parallel, the Commission designated a group of independent experts, who visited the relevant sites in the
Chania prefecture in February 2003. The final report of the experts is not yet available.

The Commission will not hesitate to take all requisite measures to ensure that Community environmental
legislation has been respected.

(1)

Judgement of 4 July 2000, C-387/97, ECR p.5047. We have to notice that Article 171 mentioned in the judgement
has become Article 228.

(2) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(3) OJ L 84, 31.3.1978.
(4)

Judgement of 7 April 1992, C-45/91, ECR p.2509.

(2003/C 222 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0500/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 February 2003)

Subject: Pelagic pair trawls and death of dolphins

In response to my question of 5 June 2002 (E-1606/02 (1)) the Commission indicated that it was hoping to
bring forward legislative proposals to alleviate the problem of dolphins being killed by pelagic pair
trawling.

Latest figures indicate an alarming rise in the number of dead dolphins being washed ashore on the
beaches of SW England.

What steps is the Commission currently taking and what effect does the Commission believe these will
have on reducing the number of dolphins killed?

Will the Commission introduce an immediate temporary ban on sea bass fishing until changes are made in
fisheries’ practice, management and regulation?

(1) OJ C 309 E, 12.12.2002, p. 143.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2003)

The Commission is well aware of the problem of dead dolphins being washed ashore on the beaches of
Member States, in particular in this winter period in the south of United Kingdom.

According to the ‘Habitats’ Directive (1), Member States shall take measures for the protection of small
cetaceans and to ensure a favourable state of conservation of
these species (including population
assessment, monitoring of incidental killing, mitigation measures and habitats protection). The Commission
is however convinced that additional Community measures are needed to increase conservation of small
cetaceans, in particular in the fisheries sector, in a consistent and co-operative manner at Community level.

In order to prepare legislative proposals to address the problem of by-catch of cetaceans in fisheries, the
Commission is currently in the process of examining the information and the advice received, at its
request, from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical

C 222 E/210

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) on this issue. The elaboration of such proposals will take
place in the coming months,
involving wide consultation with stakeholders. While the Commission
believes that these measures should aim at improving significantly the way the problem of incidental
cetacean capture is currently addressed, it is impossible at this stage to have a more precise idea on the
exact effect of measures which have not yet been adopted.

According to ICES (2), there is no direct evidence on which to blame the pelagic trawl fisheries for bass for
being the fishery responsible for the numbers of dead, incidentally caught dolphins arriving on beaches in
England and France. In other words, other fisheries than the one for bass are also catching dolphins. ICES
considers that a ban on pelagic trawling would be an arbitrary measure, unlikely to achieve the desired
goal. However,
it also identifies that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive monitoring on the
numerous trawl fisheries active in this region.

At this stage, the Commission does therefore not consider the possibility for introducing an immediate
temporary ban on sea bass fishing. However, the setting of mandatory observer schemes for different
fisheries will certainly be part of the above-mentioned future Commission proposals on this issue.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (cid:1)

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) Namely the report of the ICES Advisory Committee on Ecosystems 2002

(available at http://www.ices.dk/committe/ace/2002/Section-2.pdf), and particularly within its chapter 2.3.3.

(2003/C 222 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0502/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Subject: Iberian lynx

In view of the threat to the survival of the Iberian lynx, will the Commission take the initiative to develop
a coordinated strategy to secure its survival with the Spanish national and regional Governments?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2003)

Since 1999, Spain has had a National Conservation Programme for the Iberian lynx. The programme
works on both national and international levels, developing projects and undertakings for the conservation
of the lynx. The Iberian Lynx Work Group works both in Spain and in Portugal on priority items
according to the guidelines set in the Conservation Programme.

The Commission has recently initiated a survey into the large carnivores situation in all Member States and
Candidate Countries. When the survey is completed, the next step will be to develop, in co-operation with
those countries, co-ordinated guidelines for large carnivores protection and management in the Union.

(2003/C 222 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0507/03

by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Europe-wide introduction of an innovative mounting system for roadside reflector posts

A good system of reflector posts is vital for road safety, since it helps drivers get their bearings, particularly
at night. For drivers who are not familiar with the route, reflector posts are a necessary aid which enables
them to drive safely. A new mounting system for reflector posts makes it possible to halve the height of