The European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries approved on Thursday 7 March the compromise text on technical measures, which provides for the end of electric trawling on 1 July 2021.
The report by Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) on this dossier was adopted in the Committee on Fisheries with 21 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions. The new regulation will still have to be formally adopted by the Parliament plenary in April and then by the Council (see EUROPE 12200/18).
The text details the modalities for the end of electric fishing: - during the transitional period ending 30 June 2021, electric pulse trawling (in the North Sea only) will continue to be allowed under certain "strict" conditions: - maximum 5% of the beam trawler fleet per Member State; - maximum electrical power compliance; - automatic computer management system recording electrical data; - no new licences will be granted to a vessel during this transitional period.
Finally, until 30 June 2021 in waters up to 12 nautical miles under their sovereignty or jurisdiction, Member States may take "non-discriminatory measures to restrict or prohibit the use of electric pulse trawls". Member States will have to inform the Commission and the other Member States concerned. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)