Brussels, 16/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 16 April, the European Parliament approved, with certain amendments, a proposal aimed at phasing out (by 2015-2016) discards at sea in the waters of the Skagerrak. This would make it a requirement for fishermen to land all species caught in those waters. The regulation amended by the EP takes up the vote by the EP fisheries committee (see EUROPE 10790).
The regulation stipulates that member states are under an obligation to use a remote electronic monitoring (REM) system for monitoring the fishing activities of fishing vessels flying their flag and operating in the Skagerrak. Any fishing vessel of 12 metres in length overall or longer carrying out fishing activities in that part of the Skagerrak that is within EU waters must have installed on board a fully functioning system consisting of closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras on board, a global positioning system (GPS), sensors and transmitting equipment (CTE) before it is allowed to leave port. The EP requests that data recorded by the CCTV cameras should be automated using image recognition software. Provisions are in place to ensure that CCTV data comply with the rules on data protection. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) shall provide, the EP states, for the installation of CCTV, GPS, captors and transmitters. The EP rejected an amendment by the EPP (298 votes to 355, with 51 abstentions), providing for the installation of CCTV to be voluntary. (LC/transl.jl)