Annex
Letter from David Gardner, South &
West Wales Fishing Communities to Mrs Eluned Morgan MEP (dated
9 September 2002)
COMMON FISHERIES
POLICY REVIEW
Thank you very much for your letter and enclosure
of 2 October. I am very grateful for your interest in the attempts
being made by the fishing industry in Wales to protect and develop
its interests and for the efforts that you are making on its behalf.
It is much appreciated.
The reply letter from Commissioner Fischler
is disappointing, as it does not address the principal concerns
that the Welsh fishing industry has. It would seem that he was
not clear about the context of the document that I had prepared
which did not solely address the issues of immediate interest
to the Welsh inshore sector but was a general response to the
CFP Consultation Document in its entirety. If he had understood
that context he would have recognised that the Association's support
for measures to, inter alia, reduce industrial fishing were in
the context of concern for the bigger picture rather than parochial
interests. In addition, whilst I accept the constraints against
introducing immediate measures to phase out the use of fish products
in aquaculture feed products, there is a missed opportunity here
for the Commission to make a clear declaration of intent to move
towards this goal and to implement projects to develop alternatives.
Of greater concern is the fact that Commissioner
Fischler appears not to recognise the importance of the points
that I have made regarding the difficulties of the Welsh (and
the UK) inshore sector and the enormous potential that there is
within the current CFP Review for improving the situation within
the discipline of a sustainable, ecosystem-based approach. This
is evidenced by his reply to my points regarding ray landing sizes
and beam trawling within the 12 mile zone by non-Nationals. Fisheries
legislation is complex and hard to unravel even for those working
routinely with the issues. I have therefore set out the principal
issues in bullet point format as an Appendix to this letter for
your information and for you to use in whatever way you believe
would be helpful to the interests of the Welsh industry.
I am aware, as Commissioner Fischler confirms
in his letter, that the Commission proposes to retain the existing
conditions within the six to 12 mile zone in perpetuity. This
is welcome. However, in a statement to the industry made on 10
June 2002, Commissioner Fischler appeared to support significant
changes to the conditions within the 0-12 mile zone and it is
essential that these are approved (see comments in attached Annex).
I am heartened by Commissioner Fischler's statement
in the letter that "the Commission would encourage contribution
by the UK during the debate on CFP reform on problems and possibilities
for the Welsh inshore fisheries". This reinforces my view
that all those within Wales and the UK with an interest in the
perpetuation and future success of the Welsh fishing industry
should leave no stone unturned and no avenue unexplored in their
energetic and robust representation of Welsh fishing interests
to the Commission and elsewhere. It is a foregone conclusion that
other Member States with a less long term vision will be doing
everything within their power to push forward their views. This
has already happened through the establishment of, and very powerful
lobbying by, the "Friends of Fishing" consortium of
six Member States including Ireland, Spain, France and Portugal.
Unfortunately, this consortium appears not to
recognise that a long term, sustainable fishing industry is entirely
dependent on the responsible and restrained management of fish
stocks and that the pursuance of its current approach will result
in long term damage to their interests and those of other Member
States. There is very real fear that "they who shout loudest"
will carry the Commission with them. It will take an equally robust
and cohesive approach by other Member States including the UK
if the CFP Review is not to be shanghaied by the short term interests
of others.
You will note from the headers and footers of
this letter that two (unrelated) changes have occurred since I
last wrote. Firstly, I have now moved home and my new address
is given below. Secondly, and more importantly, I am delighted
to say that the S&WWFA has merged with the Joint Fishing Communities
to create a single Fishermen's Association for South Wales comprising
over 130 members. This is a major step forward for the industry
but it will all come to nought if the CFP Review does not address
the issues that are currently a major constraint on sustainable
development. I hope that we can count on you to support a last
ditch effort to bring common sense to the Common Fisheries Policy.
I am copying this letter to the list below for
information.
cc Michael German AM; Rory O'Sullivan, WAG;
Nick Ainger, MP; Jackie Lawrence MP; Cynog Dafis AM MP
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