Vigo, 04/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Those taking part in the Corunna conference on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) on 2-3 May made progress on governance, but showed themselves to be divided over the other two priorities of the reform: management of fishing rights and different regimes for small-scale fishing and industrial fishing (see EUROPE 10131). The main outcomes of the conference will be submitted to EU fisheries ministers at their informal meeting on the reform of the CFP in Vigo on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 May.
Governance. Stakeholders made progress on the possible setting up of European regional committees which would bring together fishermen's representatives, NGOs, the member states concerned, the Commission and perhaps the European Parliament. After the EU Council of Ministers and the Parliament set the overall objectives, it would be for the regional committees to propose technical measures that would allow these objectives to he achieved. If there was agreement between EU countries and the Commission, the measures would be adopted under the simplified procedure (by the Commission). If there were no agreement, the normal co-decision procedure would be followed.
Fishing rights. France, Germany, Italy and Ireland opposed the creation of transferable (saleable) quotas. Only Spain backed this kind of fishing rights at European level. The European Commission does not want to impose transferable quotas, but acknowledges that this would be a way to reduce overcapacity in the fishing fleet, without it costing money. The Danish fleet was reduced by 30% in three years through the use of transferable quotas. The Commission is aware, however, that, if transferable quotas were to be rolled out across the EU, the small-scale fleet would have to be protected by means of safeguard clauses (limiting concentration levels, banning the transfer of rights in certain fisheries, etc). This would prevent industrial operators buying up the small-scale fleet's rights. Moreover, the Commission suggests the gradual implementation of transferable quotas.
Several delegations (including those of France, Germany and Ireland) disagreed with the Commission's approach which would see different systems for small-scale fisheries and industrial fishing. Conference participants agreed to return discussion on the definition of small-scale fishing to the regional bodies. (L.C./transl.rt)