Brussels, 13/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The draft report by Renata Briano (S&D, Italy) on measures aiming to limit the use of driftnets will be presented and discussed at the committee on fisheries of the European Parliament on Tuesday 24 February.
Many MEPs of this parliamentary committee, including its President, Alain Cadec (EPP, France), have called upon the European Commission to withdraw its proposal (see EUROPE 11236). The rapporteur, Renata Briano, argues that the Commission's initial proposal (total ban on driftnets) goes too far and would rather step up the existing rules, the controls in particular. The current legislative framework of the European Union bans the use of driftnets longer than 2.5 km and the keeping on board or use of all driftnets, irrespective of their size, when intended for the capture of unauthorised species.
The draft report stresses the need to tighten up the controls, particularly in the Mediterranean, where the problem of the accidental catch of protected species is the greatest. The draft report lays down provisions to ban not only the keeping on board of driftnets of a total length of more than 2.5 km but also the keeping on board of more than one fishing gear at the same time. The rapporteur also introduces amendments to ensure that catch is landed in designated ports (to make controls easier). Measures have been recommended to minimise by-catch or damage to protected species: net mesh or maximum/minimum distance from the shore (these technical measures would be taken on the basis of a regional approach). The draft report lists 45 driftnet fishing activities in nine member states operating in EU waters. This represents 3,640 vessels, many of which are small-scale fishing boats.
A number of sources also refer to the presentation of an amendment by the S&D group suggesting a ban on driftnets of more than 500 metres in length. However, this idea is unlikely to go down well with the other political groups, such as the EPP. (Lionel Changeur)