Annex
KEY POINTS
FOR THE
SUPPORT OF
THE WELSH
INSHORE FISHING
INDUSTRY
National measures currently apply to the 0-6
mile zone only, leaving the 6-12 mile zone subject to international
legislation which is often more relaxed than national regulations.
This means that international vessels, or vessels that are larger
and/or more powerful than the local inshore vessels, can catch
and land fish of a smaller size than the local inshore fleet creating
a number of enforcement, conservation and management issues.
Attempts by inshore fishermen to introduce and
operate conservation / stock enhancement measures within the 0-6
mile zone are currently mitigated against by the inability of
the Member State/regional administration to:
(i) regulate the prosecution of the vital
source fisheries in the 6-12 mile zone on which the sustainability
of inshore stocks depends, and
(ii) maintain exclusivity of fishing within
the 0-6 mile zone.
Attempts by government agencies and others to
introduce and operate effective ecosystem—based management
of the marine environment will be similarly seriously impaired.
Increasing pressure on the high seas, quota
fisheries will lead to a transfer of effort to the coastal zone
and non-quota stocks which will seriously impact on the viability
of the traditional, indigenous inshore fleet.
Retention of the existing derogation of access
restrictions within the 0-12 mile zone whilst being welcome is
entirely inadequate for the protection and sustainability of inshore
fisheries. In a statement to the industry on 10 June 2002, Commissioner
Franz Fischler helpfully presented his interpretation of the Commission's
proposals as being:
(i) Each National State will have responsibility
for the fishery within its own 12 mile territorial zone, including
control over foreign vessels fishing under historical rights in
the 6 to 12 mile zone;
(ii) The 12 mile zone will be totally separate
from the shared regions outside 12 miles.
Ratification of these proposals is absolutely
essential as a minimum. It is also vital that, in the interests
of creating a level playing field and providing protection of
the productivity and diversity of the marine ecosystem, they should
be further enhanced by:
(a) the permanent derogation of the 0-12
mile zone to include provision that it be for the exclusive use
of national vessels only;
(b) the establishment of an effective and
adequately funded national management/enforcement capability for
the 0-12 mile zone as a stated requirement within the CFP reform
package
Without the introduction of these measures through
the CFP Review, the inshore fishing sector in Wales is unlikely
to survive and the drift into part time, unlicensed fishing will
continue. With these measures, the sector will stand a good chance
of developing valuable opportunities for sustainable local businesses
and the creation of a range of home-grown Welsh seafood products.
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