Brussels, 03/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - As previously announced (see EUROPE yesterday p 9), on Thursday, the European Commission proposed a number of amendments to the temporary measures governing the fishing effort regime applied to some cod fisheries in EU waters since 1 February 2003. These measures were adopted by the Council of Fisheries Ministers last December. Franz Fischler, Commissioner responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, said , "We have carefully listened to the industry and the member states. In these consultations, it became apparent that some points needed to be clarified or adapted. This is why we are proposing both to clarify some points and to introduce some flexibility", adding that these amendments would not undermine the effectiveness of the measures. This temporary effort scheme is in place until 31 December 2003 or until a definitive cod recovery plan, to be proposed by the Commission in a few weeks' time, is adopted later on in the year. The proposed changes, under certain conditions, concern the following points:
A review of the area to be covered by the effort scheme so that it corresponds to the same area as that temporarily closed to cod fisheries in 2001.
A more flexible definition of "days out of port". Currently, such a day is defined as "the 24-hour period between 00.00 Hrs of a calendar day and 24: 00 Hrs of the same calendar day of such a time period". The Commission proposes to retain this definition and to add "or any continuous period of 24 hours from the time of departure from port or any part of any such a time period".
The possibility of transferring fishing days from smaller to larger vessels as long as this does not involve any increase in fishing effort. Under the present system, transfer of days out of port are permitted only to vessels of the same or smaller engine power than that of the vessel contributing the days. The Commission proposes that transfers be authorised from a smaller to a larger vessel on the condition that adaptations be made to ensure that this does not imply any increase in fishing effort.
Clarification on a number of points for the Commission, such as: calculating days out of port for vessels which fish both inside and outside the areas covered by the effort scheme as well as for vessels changing fishing gear which determines the number of days allowed; ensuring that vessels passing through the area concerned by the effort scheme are not affected by it; specifying the need for Member States to take into account cases when vessels have been unable to fish due to exceptional circumstances including mechanical breakdown or adverse weather conditions.
The introduction of special provisions for vessels fishing with large net mesh sizes and whose impact on cod is low.
Extension of the possibility of allocating additional days at sea where decommissioning schemes are involved to all fleet segments.
Integration of this temporary effort control regime as part of the cod recovery plan which, under the 2002 Regulation establishing an emergency Community fund for scrapping fishing vessels, makes additional aid available for the decommissioning of vessels most affected by recovery plans.