Debate: Fishers for the future
Date: MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

This report of the European Parliament also comes at a crucial point in time when the Commission is starting its preparations for a report on the functioning of the common fisheries policy to be adopted in 2022. This report will address issues not sufficiently covered in the current common fisheries policy, also including the social dimension. Let me reassure you that the Commission has already addressed many of the issues outlined in the Parliament’s report, and I would like to mention the main ones. Firstly, the report rightly points to the importance of data collection. To strengthen our policies it is vital that we have the right data and gain a better understanding of the workforce in fisheries, of the ageing patterns, education and the role of women. Together with the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), the Commission has already started to enhance the analysis of social indicators for the EU fishing fleet. This will be pursued in the future and a report examining the social situation of the EU fisheries sector will be published in 2022.  Secondly, a better knowledge is also required of casualties in the fishing sector, of which there are sadly still far too many. In line with the suggestions in the report, the Commission is currently examining the possibility of extending the Maritime Accident Investigation Directive to smaller fishing vessels below the length of 15 metres. Even though EU legislation already contains important health and safety standards applicable to fishermen and women, like the Directive on work on board fishing vessels and the Framework Directive of 1989 on the safety and health of workers, which is applicable to all sectors, the report rightly recalls that a major step towards better working conditions was taken in 2017. This was the year of the entry into force of Directive (EU) 2017/159, which implements the so—called Work in Fishing Convention of the International Labour Organization into EU law. This has given a boost to the improvement of living and working conditions of fishing crews across the EU, and will certainly help increase the attractiveness of the fishing sector in the EU. I carefully take note of the criticism in your report regarding the alleged contradiction between the required capacity limitations under the common fisheries policy and the need to increase capacity in order to meet other requirements related to safety and decent working conditions. However, I would like to point out that the capacity limitations under the common fisheries policy apply to national fleets as a whole. Therefore, there is indeed room for necessary capacity increases of individual vessels as long as the Member States concerned respect the overall ceilings and the principles of the entry—exit regime. Another important point in your report touches upon training and the mutual recognition of certificates as an important factor for increasing not only the attractiveness of the fishing sector, but also the mobility of crew and the safety of fishing vessels. The Commission is therefore closely following the current revision of the International Maritime Organization’s Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F). Once this Convention is updated, the Commission will examine whether to propose its incorporation into EU law. In the meantime, the Commission continues to promote the ratification of all relevant international conventions by our Member States and our international partners. This will not only improve the situation of fishers in the EU, but will also ensure a level playing field between fishing operators within the EU and internationally.  In several instances, the report points to the importance of the good use of EU funding for the proposed actions. The new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) will indeed provide the necessary funds to help make the fishing sector more attractive and more resilient. The Fund can support young fishers to acquire a first vessel, provide for training opportunities and support the role of women in local fishing communities. Under specific conditions the Fund can also support investments in low—impact fishing techniques, safety on board and energy efficiency. The Commission’s services are now working with Member States to ensure they reflect these ambitions in their operational programmes and that the programmes are adopted as soon as possible. Let me conclude by again thanking the rapporteur, Mr Pizarro, and all the shadow rapporteurs for this important work. The report is an encouragement for the Commission to pursue its actions to strengthen the social dimension of our common fisheries policy.