The European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries adopted its position on the reform of the system of controls on fishing activities on Friday 5 February. According to them, the installation of cameras (CCTV) on board vessels should be voluntary in general and mandatory only when vessels have committed at least two serious infringements (see EUROPE 12649/9).
The committee adopted (23 votes in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions) the draft report by Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spain), which will be debated in plenary on 8 March.
The Council of the EU, for its part, could adopt its position on 31 May, according to the timetable of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council. The trilogue negotiations could start as soon as the EU Council has finalised its position, if the European Parliament endorses its position.
CCTV. Closed-circuit cameras would be used to monitor compliance by EU fishermen with the rule on the end of discards (or compulsory landing of catches).
The European Commission had proposed provisions obliging shipowners to equip fishing vessels with CCTV.
The provisions adopted by MEPs specify that vessels wishing, “on a voluntary basis”, to be equipped with this technology will do so “on condition that the competent authority grants incentives, such as additional fishing quotas or the free choice of method for carrying out a fishing activity”.
An exception is provided for: the installation of on board cameras would be compulsory once at least two serious offences had been committed. But even in these circumstances, it would be a temporary sanction.
Provision is made for the protection of privacy and personal data.
Finally, the Commission is invited to review, after 5 years, the effectiveness of the use of CCTVs and on-board recording devices to monitor compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It will also need to assess what new technologies might be available by then.
Surveillance. Under the future rules, all fishing vessels (even the smallest) should be equipped with a geolocation device to enable them to be located and identified. Operators could benefit from assistance from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for this purpose.
The use of electronic logbooks to record fishing activities would be mandatory for all vessels, according to the amendments adopted to the draft report. However, vessels under 12 metres would be allowed to fill in a simplified form and submit the data before the end of the fishing day, instead of after each operation.
Ms Aguilera pointed out that a greater margin of tolerance of “10%, as well as exceptions such as 20% for mixed and small pelagic fisheries and 25% for tuna”, is provided for as regards this logbook.
Operators would have four years from the entry into force of the Regulation to equip ships with the new technologies required.
Traceability. Traceability rules would be strengthened, introducing a new, more flexible definition of ‘lots’ to meet the needs of the industry.
Operators would be obliged to report on the date, place and nature of the species sold, irrespective of whether they are fresh, processed or frozen.
Penalties would be laid out for fishermen who cheat on the engine power of vessels.
The amendments also provide for better control of by-catches and protected species, as well as guidelines on sanctions to harmonise their application.
Recreational fishing would be included in the control system, with a system of registration or licences, catch reporting (via a free application), sanctions and geolocation for boats chartered for tourist fishing.
As regards third countries, the Commission should be able to introduce safeguard measures (temporary suspension of preferential tariffs) whenever it detects illegal fishing activities. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)