91999E2509

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2509/99

by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 December 1999)

Subject: Actual number of fishing vessels using driftnets in 1997

In its combined reply of 8 October 1999 to questions P-1537/99 and E-1561/99(1) concerning compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1239/98, the Commission gives the following figures for fishing vessels using driftnets in the North East Atlantic in 1997 (the most recent reference year for the gradual phasing-out of such nets):

- France: 43 vessels

- Ireland: 30 vessels

- United Kingdom: 5 vessels.

Leaving aside the case of Ireland, where the vagueness of the figure quoted makes it difficult to believe any statement to the effect that the country is complying with the phasing-out plan, the Commission itself, in its Report on enforcement of Community legislation concerning the use of driftnets in 1997 in the North East Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea (SEC(98) 477), provides other figures:

- France: 68 authorised and 35 in actual operation

- Ireland: 11

- United Kingdom: 5.

Can the Commission account for this discrepancy in the figures for the countries other than the United Kingdom? When are the Commission's files to be updated? What is to be the final figure selected, and why?

(1) OJ C 170 E, 20.6.2000, p. 34.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

The Commission relied on the data supplied and verified by the Member States in question regarding the number of vessels using drift nets in 1995, 1996 and 1997, but became aware that these did not tally with the number of vessels observed by inspectors during the inspection and monitoring campaigns carried out since 1995.

Prior to 1998 Community legislation did not require lists of vessels using drift nets to be reported as access to this method of fishing was unrestricted, nor did vessels need permits to use such nets. It transpires that some vessels did start casual fishing for tuna only to abandon it again, sometimes after only a few trips, whereas the figures in the annual reports on implementing Community legislation concerning use of drift nets in the north-east Atlantic and the Mediterranean relate to known vessels.

As stated in its reply to the Honourable Member's questions P-1537/99 and E-1561/99(1), the Commission wishes to emphasise that its inspectors will verify Member States' data for 1995-97 when carrying out checks in accordance with Article 29 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy(2).

(1) OJ C 170 E, 20.6.2000, p. 34.

(2) OJ L 261, 20.10.1993.