Brussels, 28/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 28 April, the European Parliament approved the regulation on the landing requirements for fish (see EUROPE 11271).
The report by Alain Cadec (EPP, France) confirms the compromise obtained between the different institutions on the gradual conclusion of discards at sea adopted by a large majority during the plenary session.
On 29 January last, the Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on this dossier (see EUROPE 11242). The regulation still needs to be formally approved by the Council.
One of the main objectives contained in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform is to gradually put a stop to all discards during fishing, by introducing a landing obligation on all fish caught. The end to fish discards began on 1 January 2015 for pelagic (anchovies, herring and sardines etc.) and Baltic species (cod and salmon). Between 2016 and 2019 the landing obligation will affect demersal species: cod, haddock, sole, plaice and hake…
Cadec is particularly pleased to have been able to introduce a political element into this resolutely technical regulation: member states will have to send the Commission an annual report to verify appropriate application of the landing obligation. The Commission will report back to the Council and EP.
Parallel market for undersize fish. Producer organisations will have to take necessary measures to prevent this kind of parallel market in small fish developing (fish that are below the required size).
Infringements to landing obligation. A two-year deadline has been introduced before the licence categorically applies to landing obligation infringements.
Storage of undersize species. Catches of undersized fish will have to be separated from catches of fish meeting size regulation requirements. Catches of undersized fish cannot be stored in separate species areas.
Remote video surveillance. Video surveillance has been removed from the text and will be used by member states on a voluntary basis.
Sifting flexibility for pelagic spaces. 10% of pelagic catches can be mixed (undersized and regulatory size catches). This will help facilitate the work of fishermen on-board vessels. Fish that have been bitten by seals can also be discarded. (Lionel Changeur)