Luxemburg, 14/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Luxemburg on Monday 14 April, EU Fisheries Ministers were critical of the most important parts of the proposal to toughen the fight against illegal, undeclared and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Chances, then, of reaching an agreement by June are dwindling.
The proposal aims to halt the importation of IUU fishing products into the Community, to address the problem of fishing vessels flying the flags of non-cooperating states and to improve compliance with Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) rules in Community waters. This is intended to be achieved by: - establishing a certification scheme whereby all imports of fisheries products, with the exception of products derived from inland fisheries and aquaculture, must be certified by the flag state concerned as having been legally caught; - better monitoring of landings of third country fishing vessels; - imposing sufficiently deterrent sanctions and harmonising , within the Community, the maximum levels of administrative sanctions for serious infringements; - and setting up “blacklists” of non-complying vessels and flag states.
Spain gave strongest support to the Commission proposal. Spanish Secretary General for Fisheries Juan Carlos Martín was almost alone in supporting the regulation (arrangements on the certification of product legality and the blacklist of vessels found to have been involved in illegal activities) covering third country, as well as Community, vessels.
Scope of the Regulation. Several member states (including the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Sweden, Ireland, Italy and Germany) highlighted the importance of not having any conflict between this proposal and the 1993 regulation on control (a proposal for the review of which is expected in the autumn). Several countries (such as Cyprus, Estonia, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland) called for the regulation only to apply to IUU fishing by third country vessels.
Catch certificate. Various member states (the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, and others) said that implementing the proposed system for certification of catches for the import and export of fisheries products would be too complex. Portugal and Italy suggested helping third countries set up a product certification and traceability system.
Sanctions. The Commission proposed harmonising sanctions against fishers and companies found guilty of illegal fishing. Several member states were opposed to this, arguing that setting fines was a matter reserved to member states. In principle, the Community has no power to lay down the type and level of criminal sanctions that member states can impose. If, however, sanctions are administrative (as in the proposal), it is the Community that has jurisdiction. Poland, France and Sweden suggested that the regulation should provide a list of infringements. (L.C.)