The European Parliament will approve, on Tuesday, 16 April in Strasbourg, the compromise text between EU institutions on technical measures, which provides in particular for a ban on electric trawling starting 1 July 2021.
The Parliament will easily adopt the report by Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) amending the regulation on technical measures (see EUROPE 12210/8). The text will still have to be formally adopted by the EU Council (see EUROPE 12200/18). The new rules will enter into force on the day following their publication in the Official Journal of the EU (around mid-2019).
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 five percent 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.
Rules are also provided for on real-time fishing closures and restrictions on the use of certain fishing gear, in order to improve selectivity and environmental protection under certain conditions. There is also a list of prohibited species that fishermen will not be allowed to catch. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)