Brussels, 25/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 July, the European Commission adopted its communication on the reports sent by the member states on serious infringements to the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 2005. The report shows that, while there was a slight increase in the number of infringements detected, from 9,660 in 2004 to 10,443 in 2005, there was also a significant reduction in the average fine imposed, from €2,272 in 2004 to €1,548 in 2005. The Commission is concerned that the sanctions against fishermen are not sufficiently deterrent.
“Breaching fisheries measures is not an innocuous snub at authority. In reality, it represents a series of repeated blows to the sustainability of the fish stocks and the fisheries concerned. Unless we all work together at eliminating the illegal activities of a minority, illegal fishing will continue to flourish while the industry as a whole declines,” Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg commented.
Member states reported a total of 10,443 serious infringements of CFP rules in 2005, a rise of 8.11% on 2004, continuing the trend towards a higher detection rate seen since 2002. However, given the 2004 enlargement, following which the size of the fleet increased by 5,697 vessels, the number of infringements did not rise dramatically. In 2004, the number of serious infringements reported (for 15 member states) was 9,660. The report shows that Italy (3,280 infringements for 14,426 vessels), Spain (2,949 infringements for 13,684 vessels) and France (864 infringements for 7,859 vessels) were the states which reported the most infringements, just ahead of Portugal (761). Greece, which has a large fleet (18,279 vessels), only reported 377 infringements.
As in previous years, unauthorised fishing was the main infringement (23% of all cases), followed by storing, processing, placing for sale and transporting of fisheries products not meeting the marketing standards in place (17%). 15% of cases were for fishing without a licence. The number of cases of tampering with equipment on board which allows for satellite-based vessel monitoring almost doubled in 2005 compared with previous years. The report says, however, that “this level still remains far lower than the observations by the Commission's own inspectors suggest it should be”.
The Commission notes with regret that there were still wide differences between member states in the financial penalties imposed for the same type of infringement. Of the 10,443 breaches of CFP rules detected, 8,665 ended with a sanction. However, the average fine of €1,548 was not only less than the average in 2004 (€2,272), it was even less than half the average imposed in 2003 (€4,664). The average size of fine ranged from €98 in Slovenia to €8,876 in France.
The Commission also noted a significant reduction in the number of fishing licences withdrawn (only 335 in 2005, compared with 1,226 in 2004). Only Denmark and Greece applied this sanction in more than 10% of cases. Spain and France reported on one and eight licence withdrawals respectively. In 2005, the total amount paid in penalties by the fisheries industry was €10.8 million, or less than 0.17% of the value of 2004 landings (0.2% in 2004). Spain was top of the table, with fines totalling €5.2 million, and in second place came Italy (€3.3 million).
The Commission conclusion was that “the situation has not really improved compared to the previous year” and it calls on member states once more to put in place a system of sanctions which will “provide a genuine incentive to comply”. The Commission suggests that financial penalties should take into account the value of the catches found on board and regrets that “so few member states” use administrative sanctions, such as the suspension of the entitlement to fish or carry out a professional activity. The Commission plans to bring forward a formal proposal for a revision of EU legislation on control and combating illegal fishing practices. (lc)