Brussels, 01/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - After four years of, sometimes stormy, discussions European Parliament and Council of the EU negotiators reached a political agreement on Thursday 30 June on new European rules for deep-sea fishing in the North-East Atlantic.
NGOs as well as the negotiators from the institutions were happy with the compromise reached. This is probably the best deal the fishermen could have hoped for as the Commission initially proposed that deep-sea fishing should, quite simply, be banned. Deep-sea fishing targets species such as rock grenadier, ling and black scabbard fish and has been accused by NGOs of causing harm to a number of marine species and underwater ecosystems. The agreement includes a general ban on deep sea trawling below depths of 800 metres, a “footprint freeze” (vessels allowed to fish only in zones where fishing was being carried out between 2009 and 2011), tougher on-board monitoring and sanctions, and greater transparency in the fishery through the increased data collection on the vessels and publication of all impact studies on the resource.
“The agreement reached is a sustainable, fair and balanced compromise between preservation of vulnerable sea beds, protection of deep-water species and maintaining thousands of jobs dependent on this fishery. Deep-sea fishing will now be totally banned below depths of 800 metres and limited to zones already fished in the past”, said Parliament rapporteur Isabelle Thomas (S&D, France). The deal “strikes a good balance between the need to protect deep-sea habitats and a responsible exploitation by fishermen”, in the view of Dutch minister, Martijn van Dam.
Scope. Ultimately, the regulation will not apply in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). However, several Articles in Regulation 2347/2002 (on deep-sea fishing) will apply in European waters: agreement of designated ports, observers, submission of electronic logbooks and requirement for fishing licences.
By-catches. Rules have been put in place for vessels which accidentally catch deep-sea species. Vessels will be allowed a by-catch of up to 10 tonnes, plus an additional 15% flexibility margin: a by-catch of up to 11.5 tonnes per year will, therefore, be permitted.
Bathymetry. Deep-sea fishing (targeted and by-catch) limited to depths of 800 metres.
Exploratory fishing. This will be limited to depths of 800 metres and will have a duration of one year, renewable once by means of an implementing act.
Transparency. The following information will be published and will be available to the public: vessel number, vessel registration, size, flag state, licence, port of origin, quotas, fishing zone.
Application of the “move-on” rule to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. For fishing activities below depths of 400 metres, if the quantity of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME) indicators (detailed list annexed to the regulation) caught exceeds certain thresholds (defined in the new regulation), the vessel will need immediately to stop all fishing operations and resume only when it has reached an area at least five nautical miles away from the area it encountered the VME.
Observer coverage. The new regulation makes provision for observers (scientists) on board vessels: 20% of EU vessels fishing with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets in both EU and NEAFC waters will need to have an observer on board (10% coverage for by-catches). A revision clause will allow these percentages to be re-adjusted if necessary after scientific analysis. Exemption for the observer requirement is provided for vessels where the presence of an observer would be too dangerous.
The Council and the Parliament's fisheries committee have yet to approve the compromise. Parliament could adopt it in the autumn, allowing the deep-sea fishing regulation to come into force around the end of this year. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)