natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
It is this that has prompted your rapporteur to propose a report on IUU fishing, to review progress made (or not made) in implementing the EU's Action Plan.
It is this that has prompted your rapporteur to propose a report on IUU fishing, to review progress made (or not made) in implementing the EU's Action Plan.
Varied Aspects of IUU Fishing
Varied Aspects of IUU Fishing
The FAO Action Plan emphasizes the many different types of activities that can contribute to IUU fishing and notes the various responsibilities of national governments to control these various activities, as flag State, State of beneficial ownership, port State and market State .
The FAO Action Plan emphasizes the many different types of activities that can contribute to IUU fishing and notes the various responsibilities of national governments to control these various activities, as flag State, State of beneficial ownership, port State and market State .
Flag State: Under international law, the flag State (country whose flag the fishing vessel flies) is responsible for verifying that the vessel abides by the rules, including fisheries management measures, working conditions, health standards, etc.
Flag State: Under international law, the flag State (country whose flag the fishing vessel flies) is responsible for verifying that the vessel abides by the rules, including fisheries management measures, working conditions, health standards, etc.
Many fishing vessels do not come to shore to offload their catch, preferring to transfer it to refrigerated cargo vessels (reefers) that take it to port.
Many fishing vessels do not come to shore to offload their catch, preferring to transfer it to refrigerated cargo vessels (reefers) that take it to port.
These reefers can be used to "launder" fish, by mixing together fish from legal and illegal operators.
These reefers can be used to "launder" fish, by mixing together fish from legal and illegal operators.
So the flag States of these reefer vessels are just as important as the fishing vessels.
So the flag States of these reefer vessels are just as important as the fishing vessels.
The effective implementation of existing EU rules would serve to reduce this part of IUU fishing, but the regulations need to be strengthened as well.
The effective implementation of existing EU rules would serve to reduce this part of IUU fishing, but the regulations need to be strengthened as well.
State of beneficial ownership: States which do not fulfil their obligations as flag State are known as "Flags of Convenience".
State of beneficial ownership: States which do not fulfil their obligations as flag State are known as "Flags of Convenience".
If a vessel flying a flag of convenience is owned by a ship-owner based in a Member State, then it is known as the State of beneficial ownership.
If a vessel flying a flag of convenience is owned by a ship-owner based in a Member State, then it is known as the State of beneficial ownership.
The McKenna report
The McKenna report
The McKenna report of 2001 described in detail the impact of flags of convenience and EU involvement.
The McKenna report of 2001 described in detail the impact of flags of convenience and EU involvement.
A5-0405/2001 . found that EU companies made widespread use of flags of convenience, and were thus intimately involved in IUU fishing.
A5-0405/2001 . found that EU companies made widespread use of flags of convenience, and were thus intimately involved in IUU fishing.
Port State: All fish has to come to port in order to reach the market, and so the port State where the fish is landed has a vital role to play.
Port State : All fish has to come to port in order to reach the market, and so the port State where the fish is landed has a vital role to play.
Rigorous port inspections and controls are needed to prevent IUU fish from entering the market.
Rigorous port inspections and controls are needed to prevent IUU fish from entering the market.
There are "ports of convenience" that are known to turn a blind eye to the arrival of IUU fish, and they exist in both the EU and elsewhere.
There are "ports of convenience" that are known to turn a blind eye to the arrival of IUU fish, and they exist in both the EU and elsewhere.
The most well-known one, but not the only one, in the EU is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands.
The most well-known one, but not the only one, in the EU is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands.
Market State: Getting the fish from the port where it is landed to the final destination, the consumer requires the participation of many different players, including shipping agents, transport workers and retail stores or restaurants.
Market State : Getting the fish from the port where it is landed to the final destination, the consumer requires the participation of many different players, including shipping agents, transport workers and retail stores or restaurants.
Behind many of these are the banks, who supply the needed capital (to vessel owners and operators as well, it should be noted).
Behind many of these are the banks, who supply the needed capital (to vessel owners and operators as well, it should be noted).
Inspection of their activities is just as essential as inspections in port, to prevent illegal fish from working its way along the chain of custody.
Inspection of their activities is just as essential as inspections in port, to prevent illegal fish from working its way along the chain of custody.
The complexities of IUU fishing and the need for concerted international cooperation can best be illustrated using a few examples.
The complexities of IUU fishing and the need for concerted international cooperation can best be illustrated using a few examples.
Bluefin tuna is among the most commercially valuable species in the world, especially when destined for the Japanese sashimi market.
Bluefin tuna is among the most commercially valuable species in the world, especially when destined for the Japanese sashimi market.
Inevitably, it is heavily exploited and depleted.
Inevitably, it is heavily exploited and depleted.
It could be considered a classic IUU species, as it attracted much fishing effort that operated outside the regulations of ICCAT, the organisation responsible for managing this fishery.
It could be considered a classic IUU species, as it attracted much fishing effort that operated outside the regulations of ICCAT, the organisation responsible for managing this fishery.
In 1996 ICCAT took an audacious step by agreeing to ban imports of bluefin from two countries whose vessels were catching bluefin outside the ICCAT rules - Honduras and Belize (a year later Panama was added).
In 1996 ICCAT took an audacious step by agreeing to ban imports of bluefin from two countries whose vessels were catching bluefin outside the ICCAT rules - Honduras and Belize (a year later Panama was added).
The result of these import bans (others followed for swordfish and bigeye tuna) was temporary, though, and were followed by a series of flag-hopping, as vessels transferred from flags that were subject to import bans to those that were not.
The result of these import bans (others followed for swordfish and bigeye tuna) was temporary, though, and were followed by a series of flag-hopping, as vessels transferred from flags that were subject to import bans to those that were not.
Some of the sanctioned countries joined ICCAT, and the procedures within ICCAT led to many of these vessels being removed from the "black list"; later, many of them appeared on a "white list" of vessels authorised to fish.
Some of the sanctioned countries joined ICCAT, and the procedures within ICCAT led to many of these vessels being removed from the "black list"; later, many of them appeared on a "white list" of vessels authorised to fish.
The sanctions were lifted, without any requirement for the flag States to demonstrate that the vessels were operating according to ICCAT rules.
The sanctions were lifted, without any requirement for the flag States to demonstrate that the vessels were operating according to ICCAT rules.
Today, the "black list" has shrunk to almost nothing, and only two countries are subject to an import ban (Georgia and Bolivia).
Today, the "black list" has shrunk to almost nothing, and only two countries are subject to an import ban (Georgia and Bolivia).
That does not mean that all vessels are operating within the law.
That does not mean that all vessels are operating within the law.
About the same time, tuna fattening cages began to spread throughout the Mediterranean, with the tuna destined for the Japanese market.
About the same time, tuna fattening cages began to spread throughout the Mediterranean, with the tuna destined for the Japanese market.
This expansion was virtually unregulated, including in the EU (structural funds were used to support the fishery) and led to much over-fishing; for instance, in 2005, official statistics show that France exceeded its quota by over 50%; Italy has also exceeded its quota.
This expansion was virtually unregulated, including in the EU (structural funds were used to support the fishery) and led to much over-fishing; for instance, in 2005, official statistics show that France exceeded its quota by over 50%; Italy has also exceeded its quota.
That TAC had been adopted in ICCAT in 2000 with pressure from the EU, against the advice of scientists.
That TAC had been adopted in ICCAT in 2000 with pressure from the EU, against the advice of scientists.
Interestingly, Japan was recently caught over-fishing for southern bluefin tuna, a separate species regulated by the CCSBT
Interestingly, Japan was recently caught over-fishing for southern bluefin tuna, a separate species regulated by the CCSBT
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. .
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. .
Japan agreed to halve its future catches to compensate - will the EU act in a similar way within ICCAT?
Japan agreed to halve its future catches to compensate - will the EU act in a similar way within ICCAT?
In short, ICCAT has failed miserably to regulate fishing for bluefin and conserve the fishery, since the Contracting Parties defended the interests of their national fisheries and did not sustain the political, economic and legal pressure and cooperation necessary to control IUU fishing.
In short, ICCAT has failed miserably to regulate fishing for bluefin and conserve the fishery, since the Contracting Parties defended the interests of their national fisheries and did not sustain the political, economic and legal pressure and cooperation necessary to control IUU fishing.
In West Africa , many countries are unable to effectively control fishing in their waters, due to a lack of logistical and economic resources, insufficient regional cooperation or, in some cases, a lack of political will on the part of the government.
In West Africa , many countries are unable to effectively control fishing in their waters, due to a lack of logistical and economic resources, insufficient regional cooperation or, in some cases, a lack of political will on the part of the government.
As a result, IUU fishing has become commonplace in certain areas, depleting fish stocks, causing much hardship for the coastal communities that depend on fishing for their food security and their livelihoods, not to mention the foreign exchange that abundant fish resources can provide.
As a result, IUU fishing has become commonplace in certain areas, depleting fish stocks, causing much hardship for the coastal communities that depend on fishing for their food security and their livelihoods, not to mention the foreign exchange that abundant fish resources can provide.
Las Palmas is an important port for the offloading of much fish from West Africa, destined either for the EU market or in transit to other markets.
Las Palmas is an important port for the offloading of much fish from West Africa, destined either for the EU market or in transit to other markets.
The lack of effective and proper controls on the landing of fish in Las Palmas has been widely documented.
The lack of effective and proper controls on the landing of fish in Las Palmas has been widely documented.
Your rapporteur visited Las Palmas during the research phase of this report and saw fish being offloaded from a reefer whose origin was, to say the least, not clear.
Your rapporteur visited Las Palmas during the research phase of this report and saw fish being offloaded from a reefer whose origin was, to say the least, not clear.
If the origin of the fish is not clear, its legality cannot be verified with certainty.
If the origin of the fish is not clear, its legality cannot be verified with certainty.
Cod from the Barents Sea demonstrates that ports of convenience also exist in northern Europe.
Cod from the Barents Sea demonstrates that ports of convenience also exist in northern Europe.
This is one of the world's largest remaining cod stocks and it supplies a good part of the EU market.
This is one of the world's largest remaining cod stocks and it supplies a good part of the EU market.
Earlier this year, much cod coming into the EU was found to originate from IUU vessels landing in ports in northern Europe (for example, the "Rostok 5").
Earlier this year, much cod coming into the EU was found to originate from IUU vessels landing in ports in northern Europe (for example, the "Rostok 5").
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. has responded by establishing "black lists" of vessels that are not even allowed into the ports of the Contracting Parties.
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. has responded by establishing "black lists" of vessels that are not even allowed into the ports of the Contracting Parties.
Similar problems exist for Baltic Sea cod, except that it is EU vessels which are the ones responsible for much illegal, over-quota fishing.
Similar problems exist for Baltic Sea cod, except that it is EU vessels which are the ones responsible for much illegal, over-quota fishing.
The roles of flag State, port State and market State are clearly interconnected and must all be involved if IUU fishing is to brought under control.
The roles of flag State, port State and market State are clearly interconnected and must all be involved if IUU fishing is to brought under control.
EU IUU Action Plan of 2002
EU IUU Action Plan of 2002
The EU is, by any criteria, one of the world's foremost fishing entities:
The EU is, by any criteria, one of the world's foremost fishing entities:
· third largest catcher of fish after China and Peru,
· third largest catcher of fish after China and Peru,
· one of the world's largest fleets,
· one of the world's largest fleets,
· important user of flags of convenience, and
· important user of flags of convenience, and
· world's largest market for fish.
· world's largest market for fish.
The EU thus has a responsibility to act on all of these fronts to prevent IUU fishing, and to prevent unscrupulous operators at any point in the chain from profiting from IUU activities.
The EU thus has a responsibility to act on all of these fronts to prevent IUU fishing, and to prevent unscrupulous operators at any point in the chain from profiting from IUU activities.
It is too easy to say that "the EU is not the worst" or that "the EU cannot act alone".
It is too easy to say that "the EU is not the worst" or that "the EU cannot act alone".
Given the political and economic importance of the EU and the global reach of its influence, the EU has a moral obligation to be at the forefront of the battle to eliminate IUU fishing.
Given the political and economic importance of the EU and the global reach of its influence, the EU has a moral obligation to be at the forefront of the battle to eliminate IUU fishing.
Further, the threat that IUU fishing constitutes, ecologically, socially and economically, means that the EU has a very pragmatic responsibility as well, if fish stocks and the fisheries dependent on them are to continue to exist.
Further, the threat that IUU fishing constitutes, ecologically, socially and economically, means that the EU has a very pragmatic responsibility as well, if fish stocks and the fisheries dependent on them are to continue to exist.
The Community has a duty to promote a far more sustainable model of development than the one that currently dominates internationally.
The Community has a duty to promote a far more sustainable model of development than the one that currently dominates internationally.
As soon as the Commission proposed the EU action plan in 2002, the Council
As soon as the Commission proposed the EU action plan in 2002, the Council
· called on the Commission to take the lead at RFMOs in combating such fishing, and
· called on the Commission to take the lead at RFMOs in combating such fishing, and
· urged the Commission to put into force the initiatives foreseen by the plan which fall within Community competence.
· urged the Commission to put into force the initiatives foreseen by the plan which fall within Community competence.
The plan, as adopted, included several points, arranged according to whether they were to be taken at Community level, regional level, international level, or in partnership with developing countries.
The plan, as adopted, included several points, arranged according to whether they were to be taken at Community level, regional level, international level, or in partnership with developing countries.
Community Level: four actions were to be implemented by the EU without the need to seek agreement from other countries or organisations.
Community Level: four actions were to be implemented by the EU without the need to seek agreement from other countries or organisations.
Define the responsibility of Member States to prevent their nationals from engaging in IUU fishing.
Define the responsibility of Member States to prevent their nationals from engaging in IUU fishing.
The Basic Regulation of 2002
The Basic Regulation of 2002
Council Regulation 2371/2002. includes an article requiring Member States to take measures against their nationals (or companies) that infringe the CFP.
Council Regulation 2371/2002. includes an article requiring Member States to take measures against their nationals (or companies) that infringe the CFP.
However, according to the Commission, the Member States have not utilised this provision.
However, according to the Commission, the Member States have not utilised this provision.
==> further action required
==> further action required
Adopt rules to ban trade in IUU-caught fish.
Adopt rules to ban trade in IUU-caught fish.
The EU transposes decisions by RFMOs to ban certain fish from trade or to implement various catch documentation schemes.
The EU transposes decisions by RFMOs to ban certain fish from trade or to implement various catch documentation schemes.
However, much more could be done, although it is the Member States which must be more proactive.
However, much more could be done, although it is the Member States which must be more proactive.
==> further action required by Member States
==> further action required by Member States
Adopt rules to make trade in IUU-caught fish an infringement; publish lists of IUU vessels designated by RFMOs, and their owners.
Adopt rules to make trade in IUU-caught fish an infringement; publish lists of IUU vessels designated by RFMOs, and their owners.
No progress on the first part.
No progress on the first part.
Only the IUU list from NEAFC is published in the OJ.
Only the IUU list from NEAFC is published in the OJ.
==> much further action required
==> much further action required
Organize a public awareness campaign on IUU fishing.
Organize a public awareness campaign on IUU fishing.
The Commission highlights the dangers of IUU fishing but the general public is still not sufficiently aware of the scope of the problem, nor of the EU's involvement in some cases.
The Commission highlights the dangers of IUU fishing but the general public is still not sufficiently aware of the scope of the problem, nor of the EU's involvement in some cases.
==> more action required by government, industry, NGOs, etc
==> more action required by government, industry, NGOs, etc
Level of RFMOs: the EU was to try to get six actions adopted at RFMOs.
Level of RFMOs: the EU was to try to get six actions adopted at RFMOs.
Promote detailed control and inspection plans for RFMOs.
Promote detailed control and inspection plans for RFMOs.
This has had varied success, depending on the RFMO.
This has had varied success, depending on the RFMO.
Some have quite good plans (eg NEAFC for port inspections) while others have virtually nothing.
Some have quite good plans (eg NEAFC for port inspections) while others have virtually nothing.
The Commission claims to be doing as much as it can.
The Commission claims to be doing as much as it can.
==> long term, sustained work needed by Commission, Member States, others
==> long term, sustained work needed by Commission, Member States, others
Increase number of fisheries regulated by RFMOs.
Increase number of fisheries regulated by RFMOs.
There are still many regulatory "empty spaces", regions of ocean for which there is no responsible RFMO for certain species.
There are still many regulatory "empty spaces", regions of ocean for which there is no responsible RFMO for certain species.
Some progress has been made but demersal species on the high seas are still very poorly covered, as a rule.
Some progress has been made but demersal species on the high seas are still very poorly covered, as a rule.
Identify IUU vessels and impose sanctions.
Identify IUU vessels and impose sanctions.
Mixed results on this.
Mixed results on this.
NEAFC has a scheme for establishing a black list and preventing port entry (though no trade sanctions), based in part on EU work.
NEAFC has a scheme for establishing a black list and preventing port entry (though no trade sanctions), based in part on EU work.
On the other hand, the previously long black list in ICCAT has almost disappeared, and that is not because they are all fishing legally now.
On the other hand, the previously long black list in ICCAT has almost disappeared, and that is not because they are all fishing legally now.
Promote uniform action plans in RFMOs.
Promote uniform action plans in RFMOs.
Rather like item 7, there is spotty progress in the RFMOs.
Rather like item 7, there is spotty progress in the RFMOs.
While that is to be expected, since they depend on the good will of the Contracting Parties, the EU could doubtless be pushing harder, which requires the Commission and the Member States to work together.
While that is to be expected, since they depend on the good will of the Contracting Parties, the EU could doubtless be pushing harder, which requires the Commission and the Member States to work together.
Curiously, in its review of the EU action plan for the FAO, the Commission neglected to evaluate progress on this point.
Curiously, in its review of the EU action plan for the FAO, the Commission neglected to evaluate progress on this point.
Identifying and quantifying IUU catches.
Identifying and quantifying IUU catches.
Certificates and documentation schemes.
Certificates and documentation schemes.
As the Commission notes, these two are intimately related.
As the Commission notes, these two are intimately related.
Within ICCAT, while some import bans remain in place the general trend has been for countries which were sanctioned to join the RFMO, claim that the vessels were legitimate, and thus avoid the sanctions.
Within ICCAT, while some import bans remain in place the general trend has been for countries which were sanctioned to join the RFMO, claim that the vessels were legitimate, and thus avoid the sanctions.
The CCAMLR scheme seems to be working better.
The CCAMLR scheme seems to be working better.
Few other RFMOs have adopted any kind of scheme with real teeth.
Few other RFMOs have adopted any kind of scheme with real teeth.
==> once again, long term, sustained work needed by Commission, Member States, others
==> once again, long term, sustained work needed by Commission, Member States, others
International Level: four actions were proposed by the Commission.
International Level: four actions were proposed by the Commission.