CELEX: 31985D0287
Language: en
Date: 1985-04-24 00:00:00
Title: 85/287/EEC: Commission Decision of 24 April 1985 on the multiannual guidance programme in respect of the fishing fleet submitted by Italy pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2908/83

15 . 6. 85                             Official Journal of the European Communities                             No L 157 /29
                                                  COMMISSION DECISION
                                                         of 24 April 1985
                  on the multiannual guidance programme in respect of the fishing fleet submitted by Italy
                                       pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2908/83
                                                 (Only the Italian text is authentic)
                                                          (85 /287/ EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN                                        Whereas the programme may, having regard to produc­
COMMUNITIES,                                                          tion potential , the measures for the conservation and
                                                                      management of fish stocks, the demand for the
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European                 products concerned and the guidelines of the common
Economic Community,                                                   fisheries policy, constitute a suitable framework for
                                                                      projects which may qualify for financial support from
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2908/                    the Community ;
83 of 4 October 1983 on a common measure for restruc­
turing, modernizing and developing the fishing
industry and for developing aquaculture ( ! ), and in                 Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are
particular Article 5 thereof,                                         in accordance with the opinion of the Standing
                                                                      Committee for the Fishing Industry,
Whereas on 29 November 1984, the Italian Govern­
ment forwarded a multiannual guidance programme in
respect of the fishing industry, hereinafter referred to as           HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION :
'the programme'; whereas on 6 March 1985 , it
forwarded the latest additional information concerning
the programme ;
Whereas, in accordance with the first paragraph of                                            Article 1
Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2908/83 , the time
required for the execution of the programme covers at                 The multiannual guidance programme in respect of the
least the proposed duration of the common measure ;                   fishing fleet forwarded by the Italian Government on
                                                                      29 November 1984, as last supplemented on 6 March
Whereas the programme contains the information                        1985, the main features of which are set out in Annex I
referred to in Article 4 of the Regulation ;                          hereto, is hereby approved subject to the provisions set
                                                                      out in Annex II hereto.
Whereas the Italian fleet is characterized by a prepon­
derance of artisanal vessels and a high concentration of
trawling capacity in certain waters ; whereas it exhibits
a considerable degree of obsolescence, in particular                                          Article 2
with regard to the date of hull construction ;
Whereas, pending the outcome of research into evalua­
                                                                      This Decision is addressed to the Italian Republic.
tion of fish stocks, the multiannual guidance
programme aims to maintain the capacity of the fleet at
its level as at 31 December 1983 ;                                    Done at Brussels, 24 April 1985 .
Whereas the programme provides that the renewal of                                                        For the Commission
the fleet is to be accompanied by withdrawals of an
                                                                                                          Frans ANDRIESSEN
overall gross tonnage equivalent to that of the additions
to the fleet ;                                                                                                Vice-President
(!) OJ No L 290, 22. 10. 1983 , p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak--- No L 157 /30                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                       15 . 6. 85
                                                                ANNEX I
           MAIN FEATURES OF THE MULTIANNUAL GUIDANCE PROGRAMME IN RESPECT OF THE
           FISHING FLEET DRAWN UP BY THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK
                                          OF COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) NO 2908/83
           1.        Purpose of the programme
                     Restructuring of the fishing fleet by the replacement of obsolete vessels and the modernization of
                     vessels in use.
           2.        Areas concerned
                     The Italian peninsula and islands.
           3.        Duration
                     The programme is valid until 31 December 1986.
           4.        Objective of the programme
                     The objective of the programme is to :
                     — stabilize the capacity of the fleet in the medium term pending the outcome of research into
                         fish stock assessment,
                     — modulate fleet restructuring measures in such a way that, whilst serving to stabilize capacities,
                         they cater for the needs of various geographical areas and the structural situation of various
                         types of fishing ; such modulation will make it possible to redeploy the fleet in activities other
                         than trawling and to encourage investment in the regions bordering on the Tyrrhenian and
                         Ionian Seas and the Islands,
                     — improve on-board catch handling conditions, the economic performance of vessels and the
                         working conditions of those employed at sea.
           5.        The following measures are proposed to attain this objective
           5.1 .     Construction
                     — stabilization by 31 December 1986 of the overall capacity of the fleet at its level as at
                         31 December 1983, i.e. approximately 272 400 grt ('),
                     — reduction of the existing trawler fishing fleet in the Adriatic sea and in western Sicily and
                         maintain the existing trawler fishing fleet operating in the other Mediterranean zones ; this
                         should result in an appreciable reduction in trawler fishing capacity by the end of the
                         programme ;
                     — monitoring of additions to the fleet which must be offset by the withdrawal of vessels of an
                         overall gross tonnage equal to that built,
                     — encouragement of the permanent withdrawal of obsolete vessels by applying a system of final
                         cessation premiums as provided for in Directive 83/515/EEC (2),
                     — fixing of priority criteria for the selection of projects likely to qualify for aid (see Annex II).
           5.2.      Modernization
                     Priority for the modernization of vessels between seven and 15 years old in order to improve their
                     technical and economic performance and improve safety and working conditions on board.
           (') Figure given in special survey carried out for the programme, which may be revised following the
                 review of the national statistical system.
           (2) Article 13 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2908/83 lays down that projects relating to the construction of
                 fishing vessels intended to replace vessels which have received aid for the permanent reduction of
                 capacity under Directive 83/515/EEC are ineligible.
 ---pagebreak--- 15 . 6. 85                           Official Journal of the European Communities                              No L 57 /31
           6.    Estimated investments required to attain the objective set out in point 4 above
           6.1 . For vessel construction (in grt)
                                                                   1984                 1985        1986
                 Additions to the fleet                           2 843               7 047         8413
                 Withdrawals from the fleet                          874              7 324        10 147
                 — without public aid                                874              2 324         2 647
                 — with public aid                                    —
                                                                                       5 000        7 500
           6.2.  For vessel modernization (number of vessels)
                                                                   1984                 1985        1986
                 Vessels to be modernized                           211                  165           165
           7.    Investment forecasts (million ECU)
                                                                   1984                 1985        1986
                 For new vessels                                   19,4                46,6         60,5
                 For modernization                                 19,9                 16,3        18,2
                                                   Total           39,3                62,9         78,7
                 Total national aid planned by the Italian Government for the construction and modernization of
                 vessels in the period 1984 to 1986 amounts to approximately 1 1 million ECU per year in capital
                 grants and roughly 9 million ECU per year in low-interest loans.
                 These financial figures, and the allocation among the various measures are intended only as a
                 guide.
 ---pagebreak--- No L 157 / 32                        Official Journal of the European Communities                                     15 . 6. 85
                                                           ANNEX II
                                                   FINAL CONCLUSIONS
            1.  The Commission considers that the programme submitted by the Italian Government as a frame­
                work for future Community or national financing schemes, constitutes an initial measure,
                following the adoption of the common fisheries policy, to restructure the fleet in the medium
                term, to ensure satisfactory economic conditions for the fishing industry and to improve the
                incomes of those employed in the industry.
                However, execution of the programme will have to proceed hand in hand with continuous
                surveillance of initiatives as regards the construction of new vessels and the modernization of the
                existing fleet, particularly from the point of view of the development of engine power.
                The Commission would therefore urge the Italian authorities to introduce a system for the
                management of stocks and capacities.
            2.  The Commission approves the Italian authorities' intention to redeploy part of the fleet in fishing
                activities other than trawling and to encourage investment in the regions bordering on the
                Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas and the Islands. It considers that strict administrative conditions
                should be established in the case of vessels benefiting from aid within the framework of the
                redeployment. In particular fishing licences issued within this framework should ; on the one
                hand , definitively prohibit all trawling activity for vessels other than trawlers, and on the other,
                ban all fishing in the Adriatic Sea for boats intending to carry out fishing activities in the
                Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas or in the vicinity of the Islands.
            3.  The Commission notes that the forecasts supplied by the Italian authorities for the withdrawal of
                capacities to offset new vessels scheduled to enter into service by the end of 1986 include many of
                the withdrawals to be made under Directive 83/515/ EEC, the Italian implementing provisions
                for which were notified to it on 21 April 1984 and 11 February 1985 .
                The Commission wishes that this regime on its approval , could rapidly come into effect and that
                the withdrawals should, as a result, conform to the forecasts indicated in the programme.
            4.  The Commission notes the priorities to be applied by the Italian authorities in assessing projects
                eligible for aid (see Annex III). It considers that these priorities will have to be adjusted in the
                light of the development of the fleet and, in particular, the extent of withdrawals. With regard to
                the restructuring of the oceanic fishing, the Commission approves the intention of the Italian
                authorities to limit the entry into service of new boats to eight in number (2 700 grt) during the
                period of the implementation of the programme ; it considers moreover, that all grants of aid in
                this sector should be conditional on the existance of a notified withdrawal of at least equal
                tonnage, or the commitment of the beneficiary to proceed with such a withdrawal . Moreover, the
                Commission wishes to affirm that, taking into account the present situation with regard to fishing
                agreements between the Community and the third countries concerned, it agrees that the situation
                should be reviewed in the light of experience gained .
             5.  The Commission points out that the investment requirement contained in the programme does
                 not imply any commitment as regards financial support from the Community.
             6.  The Commission considers that the programme targets and their attainment should form the
                 subject of a more detailed analysis within the framework of the annual review referred to in
                 Article 6 of Regulation. (EEC) No 2908/83 in the light of the stock evaluation surveys currently in
                 progress and developments in the structural and economic situation of fishing enterprises in
                 Italy.
 ---pagebreak--- 15 . 6. 85                               Official Journal of the European Communities                                     No L 157/33
                                                               ANNEX III
                              PRIORITIES TO BE APPLIED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF PROJECTS
             CONSTRUCTION
             Priority 1 : Construction with direct withdrawal (in grt)
             A.       Projects in Calabria, Basilicata, Sardinia and eastern Sicily with compulsory withdrawals of at
                      least 30 % excluding trawlers.
             B.      Vessel for tuna-fishing, ocean-going (') and local fishing craft (2).
             C.       Projects other than those referred to in B in other regions of Italy, with compulsory withdrawals
                     of at least 30 % (excluding trawlers).
             D.      Trawlers or vessels designed for clam gathering, with compulsory withdrawals of at least 70 %.
             Priority 2 : Construction with direct withdrawal (in grt)
             A.      Projects in Calabria, Basilicata, Sardinia and eastern Sicily with withdrawals of less than 30 % for
                     all fishing techniques except trawling (withdrawal of 30 to 70 %).
             B.      Projects in Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and Campania with withdrawals of less than 30 % for all
                     fishing techniques except trawling (withdrawals of 30 to 70 %).
            C.       Projects in Adriatic regions and in other areas of Sicily with withdrawals of less than 30 % for all
                     fishing techniques except trawling or clam gathering.
            Priority 3: Construction without direct withdrawal
            A.       Projects in Calabria, Basilicata, Sardinia and eastern Sicily.
            B.       Vessel for tuna-fishing, ocean-going (') and local fishing craft (2).
            C.       Projects in Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and Campania.
            D.       Projects in the Adriatic regions and in other areas of Sicily.
            MODERNIZATION
            Two criteria are applied relating to the age of the vessel and the work to be done.
            Priortiy 1A
            Projects involving vessels between seven and 15 years old in the Mezzogiorno, aimed at (3):
            Al :    reducing operating costs, achieving fuel savings (technologically advanced engine) and greater
                    mechanization of fishing operations (winches, cranes, etc.).
            A2 :    improving product preservation (refrigeration equipment, icemaking machine).
            A3 :    enhancing work safety and conditions on board (restructuring and consolidation of hull, accomo­
                    dation , deck, electronic equipment, etc.).
            (') Priority only effective where the administration confirms that the new vessel will be used in the
                 waters of third countries with which the EEC has concluded agreements.
           (2) Priority only effective where the fishing licence for the new vessel stipulates that the latter may not
                engage in trawling.
           (3) Modernization projects must be technically and economically coordinated from the point of view of
                the work purchases involved, e.g. structural work , purchase of engine, radar, echosounder and refri­
                geration equipment.
 ---pagebreak--- No L 57 /34                         Official Journal of the European Communities                                  15 . 6. 85
          Priority IB
          Modernization of vessels between seven and 1 5 years old in other areas of Italy, with a view to intro­
          ducing the improvements referred to in Al , A2 and A3 .
          Priority 2A
          Modernization of vessels over 1 5 years old in the Mezzogiorno, with a view to introducing the improve­
          ments referred to in Al , A2 and A3 .
           Priority 2B
          Modernization of vessels over 1 5 years old in other areas, with a view to introducing the improvements
          referred to in Al , A2 and A3 .
          Priority 3A
          Modernization of vessels between seven and 1 5 years old involving work and purchases which contrib­
          ute only partly to an effective improvement in the economic, technical and operational performance of
          the fishing undertaking concerned.
          Priority 3B
          Modernization of vessels over 15 years old with a view to introducing the improvements referred to
          in 3A .
          Priority 4
          Modernization of vessels less than seven or more than 30 years old.