Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - A number of members of the fisheries committee at the European Parliament criticised, on Monday 8 October, the proposal aimed at banning deep-sea bottom trawling.
Carmen Fraga Estévez (EPP, Spain) spoke of a “tough” proposal. The Commission, she bemoaned, proposes that bottom trawling be banned without having carried out a detailed study, and dismisses any alternative solutions without scientific justification. She also reproaches the Commission for not having taken into account advice received from a number of regional consultative councils (CCR). All species of fish are not in the same situation, Fraga pointed out, saying she called for a less radical proposal.
Alain Cadec (EPP, France) considers that the Commission is taking part in the demonisation of such fishing, saying that one should ascertain what is scientific reality and what are unfounded accusations and avoid any generalisation as situations can be highly diverse depending on the regions or the means used for fishing those species. Since 2003, very strict management measures have been adopted (quotas, ban on fishing certain species, such as the deep-sea sharks or emperor sharks, strict controls, onboard observers, etc.). Diagnoses made by the scientific community show that the exploitation of deep-sea stocks has reached sustainable levels. France, Spain and Scotland have made a considerable effort to achieve reconstitution of the marine depths. Deep-sea fishing produces a very low level of discards. A ban on bottom trawling and bottom-sea gillnets would have a heavy social and economic impact (500 direct jobs in France at least, between Lorient and Boulogne). Article 9 of the Commission's proposal must be completely reviewed. It suggests a more far-reaching hearing to shed light on the situation of such fishing, said, Jaroslaw Leszek Walesa (EPP, Poland), who spoke of a “discriminatory” proposal.
Isabelle Thomas (S&D, France) admitted that these species are very slow to mature and they needed to be cautious with regard to using these stocks. Nonetheless, they needed to base their decisions on the real situation and not on fantasies, she exclaimed. She pointed out that the Commission had committed €10 million for three studies (impact on marine funds and resources for reducing discards). Nonetheless, so far, none of these studies have been published, “we therefore do not have the necessary basis for any genuine discussion to take place”. She suggested that they wait for these studies before debating the subject.
Raül Romeva i Rueda (Greens/EFA, Spain) welcomed the Commission initiative to establish a position regarding regulation on this kind of fishing. He called for three strict measures to be introduced; failing which, this kind of fishing was in danger of ending. Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA, Sweden) suggested retaining the precautionary approach (because they lacked data on several of these fish stocks) to ensure that these species did not disappear altogether.
In reply to different questions, the Commission representative explained that between 30 and 50 vessels could be affected. In France, there are two or three vessels that use bottom trawlers. According to the Commission, scientists estimate that bottom trawling creates problems and added that, “we can use European funds for fishing and moving from bottom trawling to longline fishing”. The rapporteur on the subject is Kriton Arsenis (S&D, Greece). A hearing may take place in January next year. (LC/trans.jl/fl)