Brussels, 14/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is highly critical of the idea of transferable fishing rights, but is realistic about the plans to eliminate rejects and the need to update the fishing fleet. On the latter point, it takes a less radical line than the European Commission in its draft legislation to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Adopting a non-legislative report by Nikolaos Salavrakos (ELD, Greece) by 461 to 131 with 42 abstentions on Thursday 13 September 2012 on reform of the CFP, the Parliament says that the main draft regulation's suggestion to introduce transferrable fishing rights to help solve the overcapacity problem might cause anti-competitive practices, encouraging concentration and speculation, and says that such rights should therefore be voluntary and left to the discretion of the member states, as at present. It points out the experience of some member states that have already introduced unrestricted transferrable fishing rights systems without efficient guarantees, which demonstrate a direct correlation between introduction of the systems and an increase in concentration of fishing rights in the hands of a small number of traders, with the net result of pushing up the price of fisheries products.
MSY. The EP says that the Common Fisheries Policy should apply the precautionary principle and ensure the sustainable use of biological marine resources and maintaining stocks of fish caught at levels close to those needed to produce maximum sustainable yields (MSY). It says that a clear timetable and clear deadlines are needed for the basic regulation and appropriate economic resources need to be provided to implement the CFP and gradually reduce any over-fishing.
Rejects. The Parliament says it is difficult to eliminate rejects from mixed fisheries (like in the Mediterranean and elsewhere) because of the special fishing practices and climate and geological conditions. It says that further consultations are needed to examine the problems connected with introduction of the infrastructure needed to collect and process side-catches (as suggested by the Commission). It calls for new measures to reduce the catch (and discourage the sale) of juvenile fish.
Aid to the fleet. The Parliament says that in the future, the CFP should provide aid for updating the fleet to increase health and safety, protect the environment and reduce fuel consumption. (LC/transl.fl)