Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92001E1896

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-1896/01 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Preservation of North Sea cod and haddock stocks.** 
  
*Official Journal 040 E , 14/02/2002 P. 0133 - 0133*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1896/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: Preservation of North Sea cod and haddock stocks

With reference to Commissioner Fischler's answer to Written Question E-1138/01(1), are the observers who are required to sample the percentage of each species caught by vessels fishing for sandeels employees of the Member States or the Commission, and are their findings sent to the Commission and made available as a matter of public record?

Could the Commission also indicate whether any independent bodies, including university marine biology departments, have issued findings which support the Commission's view that there is little if any evidence that industrial sandeel fishing in the North Sea deprives species such as cod, haddock, whiting etc. of their food?

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 212.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

The observers referred to are employees of Member States.

Their findings will be sent to the Commission. At present, the Commission has no intention of publishing these findings. However, they will be made available to officials of Member States and will be discussed with Member States when formulating further details of the North Sea cod recovery plan.

To date, the Commission is unaware of any findings issued by university marine biology departments or any other scientific body on the effects on food supply to cod, whiting, haddock etc. of industrial fishing for sandeels or any other species. However, the Commission has part-funded a research project in which relationships between the abundance of sandeels and factors such as growth rate of cod were investigated in a geographical area off the east coast of Scotland. The results of this study have still to be worked up and published. This study has been continued on the initiative of British authorities. Results of the continued study are not yet available.

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