natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
It forms part of the partnership approach to the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy, put forward as part of the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002 and set out in the Commission's Communication on a Comprehensive Framework for Fishing Cooperation Agreements with Third Countries
It forms part of the partnership approach to the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy, put forward as part of the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002 and set out in the Commission's Communication on a Comprehensive Framework for Fishing Cooperation Agreements with Third Countries
This approach, which provides for a sophisticated mechanism on partnership, is designed to ensure that both the interests of the EU distant-water fleet are protected and that the conditions to achieve sustainable fisheries in the waters of the partner concerned are strengthened.
This approach, which provides for a sophisticated mechanism on partnership, is designed to ensure that both the interests of the EU distant-water fleet are protected and that the conditions to achieve sustainable fisheries in the waters of the partner concerned are strengthened.
It was approved by the European Parliament in its resolution of October 2003
It was approved by the European Parliament in its resolution of October 2003
. and subsequently by the Council in its conclusions of June 2004.
. and subsequently by the Council in its conclusions of June 2004.
The new Agreement therefore goes beyond the narrow commercial framework of the previous bilateral agreement for access to Gabonese waters and will as the Commission itself has stated, open a new chapter in the cooperation between the EU and Gabon.
The new Agreement therefore goes beyond the narrow commercial framework of the previous bilateral agreement for access to Gabonese waters and will as the Commission itself has stated, open a new chapter in the cooperation between the EU and Gabon.
Assessment of the Agreement
Assessment of the Agreement
The rapporteur would like to welcome the decision of the Commission, based upon recent scientific data concerning the state of fish stocks in the region, to decrease the fishing opportunities provided for in the Agreement.
The rapporteur would like to welcome the decision of the Commission, based upon recent scientific data concerning the state of fish stocks in the region, to decrease the fishing opportunities provided for in the Agreement.
In addition, the importance of the introduction of satellite monitoring of fishing vessels into the agreement should be underlined, particularly with regard to the combating of illegal, undeclared and uncontrolled (IUU) fishing.
In addition, the importance of the introduction of satellite monitoring of fishing vessels into the agreement should be underlined, particularly with regard to the combating of illegal, undeclared and uncontrolled (IUU) fishing.
Nevertheless, considering the fact that the European Parliament was not given the opportunity to observe either the preparation or the negotiations leading up to the Agreement, attention should be drawn to a number of gaps and ambiguities in the Protocol which are not consistent with the E.U. fisheries policy.
Nevertheless, considering the fact that the European Parliament was not given the opportunity to observe either the preparation or the negotiations leading up to the Agreement, attention should be drawn to a number of gaps and ambiguities in the Protocol which are not consistent with the E.U. fisheries policy.
With regard to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement :
With regard to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement :
In concrete terms, Article 3, entitled "Cooperation for Responsible Fishing - Scientific meeting", paragraph 4, refers only to general principles that aim at the sustainable management of fishing resources and the consequences that could possibly emerge from the activities of Community vessels.
In concrete terms, Article 3, entitled "Cooperation for Responsible Fishing - Scientific meeting", paragraph 4, refers only to general principles that aim at the sustainable management of fishing resources and the consequences that could possibly emerge from the activities of Community vessels.
However, no reference is made to the natural environment in which fishing takes place, to the quality of waters, the likely pollution from oil products which exists in the region, the disturbance of the ecosystem from other factors and the consequences of all these on the fish catches.
However, no reference is made to the natural environment in which fishing takes place, to the quality of waters, the likely pollution from oil products which exists in the region, the disturbance of the ecosystem from other factors and the consequences of all these on the fish catches.
· With regard to Article 7, " Promotion of responsible fishing in Gabonese waters" , and specifically in paragraph 2, based on Article 9 of the Agreement, three months after the entrance into force of the Protocol a sectoral multi-annual program will be developed with three main objectives:
· With regard to Article 7, " Promotion of responsible fishing in Gabonese waters" , and specifically in paragraph 2, based on Article 9 of the Agreement, three months after the entrance into force of the Protocol a sectoral multi-annual program will be developed with three main objectives:
Orientations on an annual and multi-annual base
Orientations on an annual and multi-annual base
Achievement of the objectives through the promotion of sustainable fishery
Achievement of the objectives through the promotion of sustainable fishery
The criteria for the evaluation.
The criteria for the evaluation.
In this particular article, while the general framework and the governing principles are sound, the question should be raised as to why no provision is made for the communication of this information to the competent authorities in the Member States and to the European Parliament, so that they can be evaluated by those who are called upon to approve the Agreement.
In this particular article, while the general framework and the governing principles are sound, the question should be raised as to why no provision is made for the communication of this information to the competent authorities in the Member States and to the European Parliament, so that they can be evaluated by those who are called upon to approve the Agreement.
· With regard to the monitoring and evaluation of the Agreement, the Legislative Financial Statement refers to a number of risks in implementing the Agreement including the possibility that:
· With regard to the monitoring and evaluation of the Agreement, the Legislative Financial Statement refers to a number of risks in implementing the Agreement including the possibility that:
- funds intended to finance the sectoral fisheries policy and shipowners' fees might not be allocated as agreed (fraud)
- funds intended to finance the sectoral fisheries policy and shipowners' fees might not be allocated as agreed (fraud)
- foreign fleets ignore licences and controls.
- foreign fleets ignore licences and controls.
These issues are not tackled in the Protocol, except for vague reference to the fact that the activities of maritime control should be improved, monitoring via satellites should be supported, measures in favour of the local fishermen should be financed, etc.
These issues are not tackled in the Protocol, except for vague reference to the fact that the activities of maritime control should be improved, monitoring via satellites should be supported, measures in favour of the local fishermen should be financed, etc.
It is obvious therefore that this general document leaves numerous unanswered questions:
It is obvious therefore that this general document leaves numerous unanswered questions:
Can the competent maritime authorities carry out controls?
Can the competent maritime authorities carry out controls?
Do they have the relevant and necessary means and infrastructure (i.e. speed-boats, helicopters etc.), personnel, education and readiness?
Do they have the relevant and necessary means and infrastructure (i.e. speed-boats, helicopters etc.), personnel, education and readiness?
It is known that due to the flexibility of the legislation in Gabon, foreign - not Community - vessels, many of which have a flag of convenience, fish in its Exclusive Economic Area.
It is known that due to the flexibility of the legislation in Gabon, foreign - not Community - vessels, many of which have a flag of convenience, fish in its Exclusive Economic Area.
What concrete measures is the Commission intending to adopt to deal with this situation, when European fishermen have to compete with pirates and criminals?
What concrete measures is the Commission intending to adopt to deal with this situation, when European fishermen have to compete with pirates and criminals?
Can monitoring by satellite bring produce direct results that will not get lost in the labyrinths of bureaucracy?
Can monitoring by satellite bring produce direct results that will not get lost in the labyrinths of bureaucracy?
What national and regional criteria and priorities will be applied to the distribution of the aid granted to local fishermen?
What national and regional criteria and priorities will be applied to the distribution of the aid granted to local fishermen?
· While the current Protocol provides for the possibility of demersal fishing for prawn, this was never taken up, although the Government of Gabon granted private licences to European vessels for the same fishing opportunities.
· While the current Protocol provides for the possibility of demersal fishing for prawn, this was never taken up, although the Government of Gabon granted private licences to European vessels for the same fishing opportunities.
The new Agreement repeals these opportunities while at the same time introduces an exclusivity clause (Article 1, 3), preventing Community flagged vessels from fishing in the Gabonese EEZ outside the terms of the agreement.
The new Agreement repeals these opportunities while at the same time introduces an exclusivity clause (Article 1, 3), preventing Community flagged vessels from fishing in the Gabonese EEZ outside the terms of the agreement.
Thus, should it be concluded that vessels fishing for prawn with private licences will be obliged to cease their activities as from the date of entry into force of the new Agreement?
Thus, should it be concluded that vessels fishing for prawn with private licences will be obliged to cease their activities as from the date of entry into force of the new Agreement?
· The exclusivity clause is not included in Article 3 of the Agreement which refers to the fundamental principles upon which the Agreement is based - reference is made only in Article 1 of the Protocol.
· The exclusivity clause is not included in Article 3 of the Agreement which refers to the fundamental principles upon which the Agreement is based - reference is made only in Article 1 of the Protocol.
Therefore, the status of the clause becomes secondary, particularly given the fact that the terms of the Protocol are subject to review, whereas the Agreement’s provisions remain constant over time.
Therefore, the status of the clause becomes secondary, particularly given the fact that the terms of the Protocol are subject to review, whereas the Agreement’s provisions remain constant over time.
Moreover, no concrete sanctions are identified in case of parallel existence of private licences, despite their prohibition under the Protocol.
Moreover, no concrete sanctions are identified in case of parallel existence of private licences, despite their prohibition under the Protocol.
Despite the questions raised above, the new Agreement offers, in a number of important respects, significant improvements over the old one and should therefore be approved.
Despite the questions raised above, the new Agreement offers, in a number of important respects, significant improvements over the old one and should therefore be approved.
However, your rapporteur would like to stress that the Commission would have gained much if the Parliament had been fully involved during the initial preparation phase and throughout the negotiations.
However, your rapporteur would like to stress that the Commission would have gained much if the Parliament had been fully involved during the initial preparation phase and throughout the negotiations.
At the very least the EP should have been informed on time about the initialling of the Agreement.
At the very least the EP should have been informed on time about the initialling of the Agreement.
It took almost 1 year from the day that the two sides initialled the Agreement for the text to be transmitted to the European Parliament.
It took almost 1 year from the day that the two sides initialled the Agreement for the text to be transmitted to the European Parliament.
· This is not acceptable and it is to be hoped that the new inter-institutional understanding now in place with regard to third country fisheries agreements, will prevent the reoccurrence of such events and will lead to an improved working relationship in the future.
· This is not acceptable and it is to be hoped that the new inter-institutional understanding now in place with regard to third country fisheries agreements, will prevent the reoccurrence of such events and will lead to an improved working relationship in the future.
OPINION of the Committee on Budgets
OPINION of the Committee on Budgets
for the Committee on Fisheries
for the Committee on Fisheries
on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic
on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic
This proposal from the Commission is the latest in its continuing efforts to convert existing "fisheries agreements" to "fisheries partnership agreements" as the protocols for the former expire.
This proposal from the Commission is the latest in its continuing efforts to convert existing "fisheries agreements" to "fisheries partnership agreements" as the protocols for the former expire.
The new protocol will allow access to the waters of Gabon for the EU tuna fleet for a period of six years from 3 December 2005, as follows:
The new protocol will allow access to the waters of Gabon for the EU tuna fleet for a period of six years from 3 December 2005, as follows:
Purse seiners
Purse seiners
Surface longliners
Surface longliners
1 200 GRT (Spain, Greece)
1 200 GRT (Spain, Greece)
That is a reduction in access of about 40% in the number of tuna vessels.
That is a reduction in access of about 40% in the number of tuna vessels.
The amount of tuna that the fleets are allowed to catch has, however, been increased slightly, from 10 500 tonnes per year to 11 000 tonnes.
The amount of tuna that the fleets are allowed to catch has, however, been increased slightly, from 10 500 tonnes per year to 11 000 tonnes.
In exchange for the right to fish, the EU will pay the Gabon government a total of €860000 per year, comprising €715 000 as compensation for the reference tonnage of 11 000 tonnes of tuna and per year, and a specific amount of €145 000 per year for the support and implementation of initiatives taken in the context of Gabon's sectoral fisheries policy.
In exchange for the right to fish, the EU will pay the Gabon government a total of €860000 per year, comprising €715 000 as compensation for the reference tonnage of 11 000 tonnes of tuna and per year, and a specific amount of €145 000 per year for the support and implementation of initiatives taken in the context of Gabon's sectoral fisheries policy.
This is a decrease compared to the previous protocol - €1 262 500 per year.
This is a decrease compared to the previous protocol - €1 262 500 per year.
In addition to the EU contribution, the ship-owners must pay licence fees, and the Commission calculates that these could amount to a further €142 000 for Gabon.
In addition to the EU contribution, the ship-owners must pay licence fees, and the Commission calculates that these could amount to a further €142 000 for Gabon.
Again in keeping with its commitment to increase the industry's share of the cost of these agreements, the fee that the ship-owners pay per tonne of tuna declared caught has been increased to €35 from €25 under the previous protocol.
Again in keeping with its commitment to increase the industry's share of the cost of these agreements, the fee that the ship-owners pay per tonne of tuna declared caught has been increased to €35 from €25 under the previous protocol.
In the new partnership agreements, a Joint Committee is to establish a multiannual "sectoral fisheries programme" which will decide how to spend, each year, 60% of the total compensation that Gabon has allocated for the development of responsible fisheries.
In the new partnership agreements, a Joint Committee is to establish a multiannual "sectoral fisheries programme" which will decide how to spend, each year, 60% of the total compensation that Gabon has allocated for the development of responsible fisheries.
Objectives are to be established and procedures developed to evaluate the results achieved each year.
Objectives are to be established and procedures developed to evaluate the results achieved each year.
This new approach has the potential to improve the management of the agreement and, if the information is made public, its transparency as well.
This new approach has the potential to improve the management of the agreement and, if the information is made public, its transparency as well.
The Committee on Budgets should insist that it be kept informed of these evaluations.
The Committee on Budgets should insist that it be kept informed of these evaluations.
As this is a new development in protocols, it is too early to tell if it will prove useful, leading to more responsible and sustainable fisheries in Gabon, so we must follow this development carefully.
As this is a new development in protocols, it is too early to tell if it will prove useful, leading to more responsible and sustainable fisheries in Gabon, so we must follow this development carefully.
In the evaluations for a number of fisheries agreements (eg.
In the evaluations for a number of fisheries agreements (eg.
Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, São Tomé y Príncipe), a major recurring problem has been the lack of proper reporting of catches.
Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, São Tomé y Príncipe), a major recurring problem has been the lack of proper reporting of catches.
If vessels do not fulfil this most fundamental responsibility of fishing, it is difficult to see why they should continue to benefit from a significant EU subsidy - support for fishing in a third country.
If vessels do not fulfil this most fundamental responsibility of fishing, it is difficult to see why they should continue to benefit from a significant EU subsidy - support for fishing in a third country.
Thus, an amendment is proposed to prevent those vessels that do not report their catches from continuing to receive licences under the agreement.
Thus, an amendment is proposed to prevent those vessels that do not report their catches from continuing to receive licences under the agreement.
The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:
The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:
Article 3 a (new)
Article 3 a (new)
Article 3a
Article 3a
The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of the multiannual sectoral programme described in Article 7 of the Protocol.
The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of the multiannual sectoral programme described in Article 7 of the Protocol.
Article 3 b (new)
Article 3 b (new)
Article 3b
Article 3b
The Commission shall evaluate each year whether Member States whose vessels operate under this protocol have complied with reporting requirements.
The Commission shall evaluate each year whether Member States whose vessels operate under this protocol have complied with reporting requirements.
Article 3 c (new)
Article 3 c (new)
Article 3c
Article 3c
Prior to expiry of the Protocol and before the beginning of new negotiations for a possible renewal, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council an ex post evaluation of the Protocol, including a cost-benefit analysis.
Prior to expiry of the Protocol and before the beginning of new negotiations for a possible renewal, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council an ex post evaluation of the Protocol, including a cost-benefit analysis.
An evaluation of the current protocol is necessary before new negotiations begin in order to know what changes, if any, should be included in any possible renewal.
An evaluation of the current protocol is necessary before new negotiations begin in order to know what changes, if any, should be included in any possible renewal.
Proposal for a for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic
Proposal for a for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic
BUDG 28.9.2006
BUDG 28.9.2006
Draftswoman Date appointed
Draftswoman Date appointed
Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Peter Šťastný
Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Peter Šťastný
OPINION of the Committee on Development
OPINION of the Committee on Development
The European Union's development co-operation policy and the common fisheries policy must be consistent, complementary and co-ordinated, contributing, as a whole, to poverty reduction and the sustainable development of the countries concerned.
The European Union's development co-operation policy and the common fisheries policy must be consistent, complementary and co-ordinated, contributing, as a whole, to poverty reduction and the sustainable development of the countries concerned.
The EU has committed itself to ensuring the sustainability of fisheries worldwide, as defined at the United Nations 2002 summit in Johannesburg, maintaining or restoring stock levels with a view to producing the maximum sustainable yield.
The EU has committed itself to ensuring the sustainability of fisheries worldwide, as defined at the United Nations 2002 summit in Johannesburg, maintaining or restoring stock levels with a view to producing the maximum sustainable yield.
The EU has accepted the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization's "Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries".
The EU has accepted the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization's "Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries".
The EU's presence in distant fishing grounds is a legitimate objective, but it must be recalled that the interests of the EU's fisheries ought to be protected in parallel with the interests of developing the nations with which fisheries agreements are signed.
The EU's presence in distant fishing grounds is a legitimate objective, but it must be recalled that the interests of the EU's fisheries ought to be protected in parallel with the interests of developing the nations with which fisheries agreements are signed.