Brussels, 10/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 May, the Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) launched the Joint Deployment Plan for the bluefin tuna fishery in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic for 2010. The plan is the vehicle by means of which the Agency coordinates the pooling of means, both material and human, by member states in order to carry out control, inspection and surveillance of fishery activities. It will use the means and powers of intervention (inspection vessels, surveillance aircraft and inspectors) of the seven countries involved in the bluefin tuna fishery (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta) to ensure uniform and effective control of all vessels, both Community and third country, fishing for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean. The plan covers all stages of the market chain, including controls at sea, ashore and at fattening farms.
This is the third time that the EU has launched a joint deployment plan for this fishery. What is new this time is that, during the peak season for purse seiners, the CFCA will charter an EU inspection vessel which, working with all the resources made available by member states, will enhance the inspection activities in the area. The EU aim in making this vessel available is to improve cooperation with the other Mediterranean countries which also fish bluefin tuna.
The CFCA says that the 2009 joint deployment plan delivered “very positive” results. In the course of that year, the CFCA coordinated joint inspection and control activities involving 11 high seas patrol vessels, 18 coastal patrol vessel and nine aeroplanes/helicopters. More than 700 inspections were carried out in the course of 202 days of control on land, 267 at sea and 218 hours of aerial surveillance. Most of the inspections were carried out by joint inspection teams made up of inspectors from various member states.
Bluefin tuna quotas have been severely reduced for 2010 and the fishing season will last only one month, from 15 May to 15 June, compared with two months in 2009. (L.C./transl.rt)