Brussels, 10/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 October, the committee on fisheries of the European Parliament approved, in its adoption of the report by Ian Hudghton on this dossier, the proposal to extend the duration of the regime for access to the current zone of 12 nautical miles. The common fisheries policy (CFP) lays down a derogation to the rule of equal access to the 12 nautical miles zone of each member state. The derogation applies from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2012. The proposal aims to extend this period until 31 December 2014. It is largely agreed that fisheries management in the 12 nautical miles zone has been a success.
Additionally, in its adoption on the same day of the report by Pat the Cope Gallagher, the committee on fisheries of the EP approved with amendments the proposal aiming to extend the rules on technical measures to protect fish stocks for a new interim period, until such time as a regionalised framework of technical measures has been adopted, in line with the CFP. As the CFP will not enter into force until 1 January 2013, the date on which the current interim technical measures expire, the Commission is proposing a temporary solution once again. The committee on fisheries has suggested a few modifications to take account of scientific opinions on the definitions of zones and new emergency measures of the Commission. It is proposed that the restrictions applicable to cod and hake fisheries in the ICES sub-zone VI (Western Scotland) be reviewed, as the scientific advice is that the defined area is inappropriate. (LC/transl.fl)