The European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries recommended that the conclusion of the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean (see EUROPE 12109) be approved.
The report by Norica Nicolai (ALDE, Romania) on this international agreement was adopted by MEPs by 22 votes in favour and one against.
The Parliament is expected to vote on 12 February next to approve this agreement signed by Canada, China, Denmark (as far as the Faroe Islands and Greenland are concerned), Iceland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Russia, the United States and the EU.
A joint scientific research and monitoring programme will be set up within two years of the entry into force of the Agreement, with the aim of improving knowledge of the marine living resources of the Central Arctic Ocean.
On the basis of the scientific information collected, the Parties will decide on management measures for exploratory fishing in the Agreement Area and whether to allow vessels to fly their flag to engage in commercial fishing. However, any commercial fishing authorisation shall be based on the management measures resulting from the scientific information provided or on the conservation and management measures adopted by the regional fisheries management organisations that will operate in the area.
The agreement will enter into force 30 days after all parties have deposited their instruments of ratification. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)