WRITTEN QUESTION E-0482/03 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Cetacean by-catch.
Date: 2003-02-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: by-catch, common fisheries policy, fishing controls, fishing regulations, international waters, marine mammal, protection of animal life

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/135

and the need to cut the electricity supply. This last factor would have meant that the emergency batteries
on board the train were deployed, but they have limited capacity, hence the difficulties experienced with
the air conditioning, the lighting and the passenger information system via loud-speakers.

With regard to Community law, a process of developing Community technical rules in the field of rail
transport is underway, in the context of Council Directive 96/48/EEC of 23 July 1996 (1) and Directive
2001/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2001 (2) on the interoperability
of the trans-European rail system. These Directives set out a procedure for the adoption of technical
specifications for interoperability (TSIs). The first generation of TSIs was adopted by the Commission on
30 May 2002 in the field of high-speed trains (Directive 96/48/EC), but TSIs for conventional rail
transport are still being drafted.

The TSIs are not exhaustive: they cover only the aspects which have to be harmonised to facilitate trans-
is specified by the
frontier rail services, on the basis that what is not specified at Community level
competent authorities in the Member States.

The Commission notes the proposals made by the Honourable Member with regard to passenger
protection and will certainly take them into account in its review of the first generation of TSIs, which has
already started, and in its proposal on passenger rights scheduled for later this year (2003).

(1) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.
(2) OJ L 110, 20.4.2001.

(2003/C 242 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0482/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 February 2003)

Subject: Cetacean by-catch

Is the Commission aware of the plight of cetaceans caught as a result of pair trawling mainly for sea bass
primarily within the English Channel? Since the beginning of January over 120 dolphins have been washed
up on the beaches of my constituency.

A limited observer programme instigated by the UK’s Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs
in 2001 showed that dolphins were being caught as a by-catch of sea bass, a luxury not a staple food.

Action is vital if we are not to lose cetaceans from our coastlines. They are currently dying a needless
death in the quest to satisfy a demand for luxury food.

When I met Commissioner Fischler to discuss this issue in the autumn he assured me that action by the
Commission was imminent. What action has been taken since then? What steps does the Commission
intend to take to regulate pair-trawling for sea bass? If it cannot be satisfactorily regulated will the
Commission confirm that it will be banned until such measures as are necessary are put in place?

When will the Commission take action to initiate an observer scheme for these trawlers working in
international waters?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 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 the United Kingdom.

C 242 E/136

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

As far as its questions concerning possible measures to regulate pair trawling for sea bass, or to address,
in a broader approach, the problem of incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries, the Commission would
invite the Honourable Member to refer to its reply to Written Question P-0500/03 by Mr Davies (1).

The priority of the Commission action is orientated towards addressing the issue of cetacean by-catch
within marine waters adjacent to the European territory of the Union. The geographical extent of the
proposals under consideration will depend on the fishery concerned, the level of available information on
its possible impacts on cetaceans, and the type of measure proposed.

However, on the basis of the information available at this stage on incidental catches of cetaceans, the
Commission does not consider the placing of observers on Community vessels using pair trawlers in
international waters to be a high priority. In addition, such a measure, if envisaged, should benefit from
international co-ordination within the framework of the regional fisheries organisation covering the high
seas concerned.

(1) OJ C 222 E, 18.9.2003, p. 209.

(2003/C 242 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0492/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Subject: Deterioration of the road surface along sections of the Korinthos-Tripoli-Kalamata motorway in

Greece owing to subsidence

In view of the subsidence which has occurred in the last few days along the Korinthos-Tripoli-Kalamata
motorway,

can the Commission provide the following information:

(cid:1) Was the construction of the motorway funded by the European Union and, if so, how much funding

has been provided to date?

(cid:1) Has the motorway been inspected for construction defects by the ESPEL public works quality control

body?

(cid:1) Did the inspection reveal any construction defects and, if so, what action was taken by the Greek

authorities to remedy matters prior to these recent developments?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

Following the extreme weather conditions in Greece in the beginning of 2003, there have been certain
difficulties encountered regarding the realisation of projects, especially road works, in several regions of
Greece.

The Greek authorities proposes to examine the situation with the help of expert advice. The Commission is
in regular contact with the Greek authorities and has asked to be informed on the results of this
examination.

Sections of the motorway Korinthe-Tripolis-Kalamata have been co-financed by the Cohesion Fund during
the period 1993-1999, with an amount of EUR 37 million. The relevant designs had also been co-financed
by the European Union in the framework of the budget for the promotion of the Trans-European