Brussels, 21/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 March, the European Parliament rapporteur on bottom trawler fishing, Kriton Arsenis (S&D, Greece), gave his support to a European Commission proposal to get rid of this most destructive kind of vessels to the deep water ecosystem, namely bottom trawlers and bottomset gill nets. The gradual withdrawal of these vessels and nets in favour of longline fishing for deepwater fish stocks will, according to the Commission, with the backing of the rapporteur, constitute a step towards more sustainable fishing. French, Spanish and Irish MEPs, however, from the EP's fisheries committee, believe that such a ban is going too far and deepwater fishing is already very regulated and deepwater fish stocks are in good condition.
The rapporteur, with strong backing from the Greens/EFA Group, German Socialists and MEPs from the Nordic countries are even proposing to toughen up or clarify some of the provisions in the proposal and ban bottom trawling gear of 400 metres or more in length. The EP's environment committee, in an opinion ratified on Wednesday, is even tabling a motion for banning gear longer than 200 metres. This proposal provoked the wrath of French, Spanish and Irish MEPs on the fisheries committee. Alain Cadec (UMP) exclaimed that “we can clearly see in this text the desire to ultimately ban all bottom trawler fishing, which is dangerous to our economies”. He added that “a monkfish will never swallow a line and sharks are very vulnerable to this fishing gear”. With regard to the environment committee vote, Cadec explained that, “at 200 metres, this will have an impact on almost all bottom trawlers”. He is arguing for a freeze on this blueprint, which means no longer fishing in new zones. Pat the Cope Gallagher from the Irish liberal group said that a ban is not the solution, deepwater fishing is already banned where sensitive habitats are located. Carmen Fraga (EPP, Spain) pointed out that over the past decade there had been a 50% reduction in fishing for these species, and the three main stocks, (blue ling, black scabbard fish and grenadier) have been replenished.
Another expert hearing will take place in June, before the fisheries committee vote in November. Work on this dossier is experiencing delays. European fisheries ministers have not yet discussed this issue. (LC/transl.fl)