Brussels, 07/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Fishing Council that met in Luxembourg and which was chaired by the Spanish Minister, Miguel Aria Canete, aimed exclusively to reach a concrete political agreement on a proposal aiming to set out the Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for certain species of so-called water fish (sharks, black scabbardfish, ling etc.). Commissioner Franz Fischler will be presenting his first proposals for reform of the Common Fishing Policy (CFP), as well as an orientation debate on the range of measures for reconstitution of the hake and cod stocks. European Fisheries Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on illegal "non-declared and non-regulated" fishing. Here is a summary of the main points on the Council agenda:
Benthic species: The Council is expected to give a recommendation on the proposals aimed at protecting deep-water fish: one fixing the TAC and the other on fisheries access conditions (see EUROPE 12 December 2001 and 6 March 2002). The Council could establish a general guideline on the access to resources conditions while waiting for the European Parliament recommendation in September (Michael John Holmes is the appointed rapporteur). A political agreement is expected on the TAC proposal, as no European Parliament recommendation is needed. The Presidency is hoping that the Council comes up with a guideline that is in favour of the overall package, in view of formally adopting the two papers after examining the opinion of the Parliament. To this end it has drafted a compromise paper containing the following elements: on the basis of ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) recent scientific opinion, the Presidency intends reducing fishing by 30% instead of the Commission's intended 50%; TAC and quotas will be set for 2003-2004 (with an annual revision clause based on statistical data) and no longer for 2002; the fishing of deep-sea sharks will not be subject to TAC (contrary to the original proposal); decrease in the number of species covered by TAC (8 instead of 11) and an increase in the species for which licences are required (46 instead of 21); TAC are fixed in international waters but on the condition that they have been justified scientifically; limits on fishing as planned in the "licences" proposal do not include ling, cusk and the red sea bream (these species are, however, included in the proposal on the TAC and quotas; a pool quota for "by catches" will be created instead of the 10 ton catches in each country; an alternative system for inspecting boats by satellite (VMS) will be introduced; a general revision clause is planned for 2005 (until then scientific information will be gathered together for assessing the TAC).
Most delegations support the compromise proposal, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland who oppose setting up quotas. They believe that this proposal will not allow resources to be better protected or limit fishing. The Commission reference periods do not suit them either (1997/1999 for the TAC and 1990/1999 for the quotas). Certain countries are requesting higher quotas: Belgium for Blue Ling and Ling, Black Scabbardfish and Bream and Red Sea Bream.
Hake and Cod Stocks: To structure the orientation debate on this proposal (which dates from last December, see EUROPE 12 December), the Presidency will submit a questionnaire to Ministers for which the objective will be to determine: whether the strategy of a "Stable TAC" is workable and whether the annual reproduction stocks (30% for cod and 15% for hake) are acceptable. "Stable TAC" will allow a varied evolution of the reconstitution of stocks from one year to the next in a "balancing out" of the replenished stocks; if the amount of fishing is acceptable, as well as the way of calculating it, other solutions could be possible (the United Kingdom is proposing that the number of days at sea are counted); if inspection measures planned and the financial aid for putting them into place are outlined in the paper (some delegations have suggested that these measures should be included in a specific inspection regulation.
The European Parliament is expected to give its opinion on this subject on Wednesday (report by British PES member, Catherine Stihler). This report calls for a lower replenishment of hake stocks (145,000 instead of 165, 000), a reduction in the annual increase of hake (10% instead of 15M), a decrease in the maximum reduction of TAC (301% instead of 50%).
Reform of the Common Fishing Policy (CFP): After the Commission's presentation of some proposals, some delegations should be able to give their positions on this very delicate case.
Illegal fishing: The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on this subject which is the object of increasing national and international worries, and will be responsible for a establishing a sustainable management system of fish resources. On one issue, Sweden will inform the Council and Commission on news about new rather worrying scientific data on cod stocks in the Baltic.