Brussels, 29/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - “The EU will sink if the policy persists in promoting the closure of enterprises and related job losses. It is high time to go beyond the purely ecological debate and take into account the socio-economic impact of the proposed measures.” Such was the message delivered on Monday 28 November by Europêche President Javier Garat, on the occasion of examination of the draft opinion by Mieczyslaw Struck (EPP, Poland) on legislative proposals regarding common fisheries policy (CFP) reform. Those working in the sector reproach European Commissioner Maria Damanaki for dramatising the situation of the fisheries sector and the state of fish stocks in Europe.
The objective of reaching maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2015 and the radical elimination of discards are simply not realistic, according to the Europêche president. Efforts by the fishermen and member states are not taken into account, he says. It is for that reason that Javier Garat asks Commissioner Damanaki to adopt a more positive approach, given that the industry is deeply frustrated.
Garat has called on the Commission to clarify as soon as possible all the imprecision with regards the main aspects of CFP reform, such as the regionalisation of decision-making, the discards policy, MSY and transferable fishing concessions. He also pointed out that Europêche would take a close look at the Commission's proposal on the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
Mieczyslaw Struck's draft opinion above all: - recommends that a ban on discards should be gradually introduced; - and concurs with the Commission proposal that a system of transferable fishing concessions for the majority of managed stocks under the CFP should be implemented no later than 31 December 2013 for all vessels of 12 metres in length or over and all other vessels fishing with towed gear. The draft opinion draws attention to the potential risks and negative effects of compulsory introduction of a system of transferable fishing concessions. (LC/transl.jl)