Brussels, 24/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Unless there is another coup de théâtre during the meeting the day before on the part of the chefs de cabinet, the European Commission should endorse, on Tuesday, the main chapter of the proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) developed by services under Commissioner Franz Fischler. The Commission is expected to forward to the Council a draft framework agreement on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fishing resources, as well as two other related proposals, one toughening up the rules for allocation of Structural Funds in the fisheries sector and the other setting up an emergency aid regime for destruction of fishing vessels. Two other, more political documents should be adopted: a communication presenting the main objectives and directions for reform as a whole (with a timetable for adoption of the next legislative proposals and other documents) and another communication defining a strategy to integrate environmental protection measures in the CFP, including in the aquaculture sector.
Better conservation and exploitation of fishing resources is one of the main aims of the reform. The new Commission approach is aimed at setting in place longer term stock management, managing the fishing effort in respect of stocks, making better use of the more abundant resources while avoiding wastage and ensuring scientific opinions of better quality are received. For this, the Commission proposes: - stricter rules on the fishing effort, mainly through a new mechanism (called on to replace in time the multiannual guidance programmes or MAGP) whereby Member States should ensure that the ratio between the entries and exits of vessels in each of the national fleets does not cause increased fisheries capacity (the so-called "entrée/sortie" system). Furthermore, the levels of reference will be established by Member States in conformity with the motor power criteria per fishing day; - a new multiannual framework for conservation of resources (multiannual management plans of stocks that should be adopted by Member States with rates of mortality per catch and target values for renewing stocks); - strengthening of technical measures mainly to reduce catches of juveniles (enlargement of net mesh, closure of certain areas and fishing periods to protect young fish …); improved controls and greater harmonisation of sanctions systems (quota reduction, aid reduction, introduction of new rules and withdrawal of licences and permits).
Furthermore, in the context of amendments to structural action rules, the Member States will be authorised to pay compensatory "social" (non-renewable) aid to fishermen most affected by measures to reduce the fishing effort and capacities (we point out that they will be required to have carried out the profession during at least five years: up to EUR 50,000 per individual to encourage them to stop fishing; up to EUR 20,000 per person to help them find work elsewhere than in the fisheries sector.
As pointed out in EUROPE earlier (in particular on 22 and 23 April, p.10), the Commission will propose new rules for allocating aid to fleets in order to rescue the fisheries effort (by at least 40%): - abolition of the possibility to give public aid for the introduction of new vessels; - abolition of public aid for the export of fishing vessels and the setting in place of businesses in common with third countries; - aid for the modernisation of ships may be granted solely to improve security on board vessels, improve the quality of production and may not in any case concern the power of the engine or tonnage; - and structural action programmes (FIFG) should be adapted to give absolute priority to measures for reducing the fishing effort. In parallel, the Commission will propose authorising the 20% increase in premiums to vessels if they are forced to reduce their activities by over 25%, and set in place an emergency Community aid system running four years (2003-2006) intended to encourage shipowners to scrap their vessels. The cost of the programme for the Community budget had initially been estimated at EUR 260 million over the whole of the period.