13 MONITORING OF INDUSTRIAL
FISHING
(25504)
7920/04
COM(04) 167
| Commission Communication: Improving the monitoring of industrial fishing within the EU
|
| Legal base | —
|
| Department | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
|
| Basis of consideration |
Minister's letter of 2 February 2006 |
| Previous Committee Report |
HC 42-xvii (2003-04), para 1 (21 April 2004) |
| To be discussed in Council
| No date set |
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Cleared
|
Background
13.1 In the late 1970s, the state of the herring stocks in Community
waters gave rise to serious concern. Since industrial fishing
was seen as an important contributor to the problem, the Council
adopted, in the absence of management measures such as total allowable
catches (TACs), Regulation (EEC) No. 2115/77,[21]
which prohibited the direct fishing within Community waters of
herring for industrial purposes other than human consumption,
and the landing of herring in the Community for such purposes,
irrespective of where it had been caught. However, following the
subsequent improvement in the stocks, that Regulation was replaced
in 1998 by a further measure,[22]
which sets out the basis on which herring for industrial purposes
may be landed and the rules applying to unsorted landings.
13.2 That Regulation also required the Commission
to provide a Report on any adjustments which may be needed, and
the current document was duly produced in March 2004. This noted
that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
(ICES) now regards the herring stocks in Community waters as generally
being at relatively safe levels, with those in the North Sea and
west of Scotland described as "at or close to record high
levels". It added that the main target species for industrial
fishing are blue whiting, sandeel, Norway pout and sprat, all
of which are landed unsorted, and that industrial landings from
the North Sea (where sandeels are the most important component)
have over the last 20 years been relatively stable.
13.3 The Commission also stressed the importance
of the TACs and quotas for each stock being respected, and of
accurate catch data being provided, but it noted that, in the
case of industrial fishing, catches do not have to be counted
against any quota. However, although it sees the use of fish once
landed as an economic, rather than a conservation, issue, it does
regard the proper management of all types of fishing, and in particular
the effective control of landings, as the basis for the future
sustainable exploitation of any stocks, such as herring, used
for both industrial purposes and human consumption.
13.4 In order to address these problems, it suggested
a number of measures, including the introduction of specific quotas
for by-catches of the most important human consumption species;
a prohibition on industrial landings if one or more by-catches
are exhausted; and the strict enforcement of the obligation to
report catches against the right quota. It also advocated the
prior notification of landings by all vessels engaged in industrial
fishing, and the introduction of designated port schemes for industrial
fisheries.
13.5 In their Report of 21 April 2004, our predecessors
noted the Government's view that industrial fishing must be conducted
on a sustainable basis, and that human consumption fisheries should
take precedence in the allocation of TACs and quotas. The UK therefore
supported the principle of introducing measures to monitor and
control the level of industrial catches. However, as the Government
intended to adopt its final position in the light of the consultations
it was having with the industry, they decided to defer taking
a final view until then.
Minister's letter of 2 February 2006
13.6 We have now received a letter of 2 February
2006 from the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal
Welfare at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Mr Ben Bradshaw) saying that the industry has not commented on
the proposals, and that the Government has therefore concluded
that it is satisfied with them. He also says that the Commission
has yet to come forward with any implementing legislative proposals.
Conclusion
13.7 In the light of this further information,
we are now clearing the document.
21 OJ No. L. 247, 28.09.1977, p.2. Back
22
Council Regulation 1434/98. OJ No. L.191, 07.07.1998, p.10. Back
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