During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (8-11 March 2021), MEPs debate and vote on Fisheries control. Extracts from the debate (09/03) and the final vote (10/03) and statement by Clara AGUILERA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

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AGUILERA, Clara (S&D, ES)

sustainable fisheries (T)

common fisheries policy (T)

Fisheries control: extracts from the debate (09/03) and the final vote (11/03), and statement by Clara AGUILERA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

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Title: Fisheries control: extracts from the debate (09/03) and the final vote (11/03), and statement by Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, We have managed to strengthen traceability throughout the food chain in fishery and aquaculture products, the obligation to inform how, where and what species is sold.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur,The fishing log and geolocation is mandatory for all European Union vessels. Although we have allowed it to be in a more simplified way for small-scale vessels under 12 metres. 

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The necessary inclusion of recreational fishing in the control system with a system of registration, licence, catch declaration and sanctions and geolocation for chartered vessels and fishing tourism. New safeguard measure for fishery products. Possibility of suspending tariff preferences. Novelty element too. Greater transparency in fisheries control. Transparency. As politicians, we are obliged to carry it out in all fields, including in the fisheries field, in monitoring greater cooperation by Member States and strengthening the EFCA (European Fisheries Control Agency) even creating a European register of infringements and lost arts.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVI&#268;IUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Let me briefly explain which elements have triggered off our particular concern. Firstly, there is a clear risk that we are backtracking compared to current rules by relaxing current standards. And I'm referring to the rules on the so-called margin of tolerance, which sets the boundaries between what is considered to be legally and illegally caught and what is reported. Increasing the margin of tolerance or allowing generous derogation would legalise underreporting and thus promote overfishing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, No control through closed circuit TV cameras will have several negative repercussions. Firstly, ineffectively controlled fishing activities may lead to a decline of many fish stocks in our waters. Secondly, in view of this decline of fish stocks, it will eventually negatively affect the profitability of the EU fleet, in particular of the artisanal sector. Thirdly, it will hinder the transition to cleaner and selective fishing methods.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries,The third risk concerns our ability to effectively control engine power. The engine power of a fishing vessels largely determines the fishing capacity, meaning essentially how much and for how long a vessel can catch fish. And therefore it is essential to be able to effectively monitor and control the engine power of fishing vessels to avoid manipulations and to prevent excessive fishing capacity.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, What are the fundamental elements? The harmonisation of all fisheries control, so far fisheries control is very much in line with national legislation. There is an earlier regulation, the 2009 CFP (Common Fisheries Policy), and it was necessary to harmonize all the criteria and sanctions of this system. Therefore, harmonisation is a fundamental element, the digitisation of systems. We need the communication of fishery resources and that vessels are not processing information on paper, but that we have digital systems for transmitting that information. And, of course, there is a proper balance between fishery resources and the work our vessels do. Therefore, a harmonized system that is effective, digital and transparent.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, This is not about putting televisions on every boat. No. Fisheries control systems: right now the inspection report says that certain vessels which have a high risk and therefore should carry the most effective ones, which is bound by Community legislation. That's the opinion.

EP Vice-President Rainer WIELAND announcing that Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, wishes to make a statement on the referral back to committee of her report

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, Thank you very much President. Very biriefly, I would like to request in conformity with article 59.4 the referral back of the report to the Fisheries committee to be able to start the interinistitutional negotiation on the dossier.Thank you very much.

Announcement of the result of the vote:  401 in favour, 247 against, 47 abstenstions. Vote on referral back to committee: 439 in favour, 190 against, 66 abstenstions