Brussels, 24/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday in Strasbourg, as we previously indicated, the report by Catherine Stihler (PES, Britain), which amends certain provisions of the proposal to set up a cod restocking programme, was adopted by the European Parliament . The European Commission rejected most of the EP amendments to make the main element of the proposal more flexible (on inspections and controls, the remit of the plan and especially the fishing limitation effort), as well as the most recent scientific recommendations on the need to update and probably strengthen the provisions of this restocking plan EUROPE 21 October p 13). The EP welcomed the Commission's intention to present a proposal next year on a common inspection structure for fisheries. The report of Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL, Portugal), which was adopted by the EP goes in this direction.
Commissioner Franz Fischler pointed out during the debate that the scientists were suggesting the closure of four fishing zones (North Sea and the West of Scotland, as well as Skagerrak and Kattegat). Mr Fischler said that this "presents us with a very serious dilemma". According to the Commission, it is necessary to choose between the recommendation of the ICES on banning fishing for cod and other asscoieted species '"which would lay off thousands of fishermen" or " improve our restocking plans" (and there will be fewer fishermen condemned to give up working, according to Mr Fischler). "It's a serious challenge and it will be necessary for us to take a decision before being able to adopt other restocking plans".
Mr Fischler's spokesperson explained to EUROPE that the Commission, which still has to analyse the scientific recommendations in detail, could either present modifications to the current proposal on cod stocking plans or adopt a new proposal taking into account of the most serious situation since last year. The spokesperson also pointed out that in keeping with last year's decisions on reform of the Common fisheries Policy (CFP), the commission has the right to present restocking plans for other species (obviously those associated with cod). The commission will also propose total admissible catches (TAC) and lower quotas for cod and other species.
During the debate, Ms Stihler declared that the priority should be to outline effective provisions for reconstituting stocks and measures that would help reduce negative effects in the sector as much as possible. the rapporteur for the environment committee recommendation, Inger Schörling (Greens, Sweden), intends to take more severe measures in light of the ICES recommendations, which recommend the banning of certain fishing activities. Ms Schörling said that it was imperative to put this principle into practice and take more than just action alone. She also aid that he hoped that the Commissioner was going to listen to the ICES and put pressure on the Council.