92001E2733

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2733/01

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Seizure of a motorised fishing boat in the Sicilian Channel

For some years now Sicilian fishing boats have been unjustly seized by the Tunisian authorities in the international waters of the Sicilian Channel, in violation of the basic principles of the international law of the sea. Last week another motorised fishing boat from Mazara del Valle, the most important port in Italy, was seized by them. The seizure of fishing boats causes serious economic damage to Sicilian fishermen.

Can the Commission say:

1. Whether it is aware of these problems; whether it can take steps to ensure that regrettable incidents of this kind no longer occur?

2. What new rules on fishing in the Mediterranean Basin does the Commission intend to introduce, in particular concerning issues related to fishing in the Sicilian Channel, the most important of which is the partnership with the countries bordering on the Mediterranean?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of the incidents involving Sicilian fishing vessels that have been taking place in the international waters of the Sicilian Channel for several years.

The limits to the action the Commission can take in situations of this kind were examined recently in a study carried out by its departments (see Commission working paper on the current responsibilities of the Commission and the Member States in relation to fisheries agreements with third countries(1). The study was also sent to Parliament and discussed by its Committee on Fisheries). While it is concerned primarily with incidents occurring under fisheries agreements, the study deals also with the steps the Commission can take where incidents occur in circumstances unconnected with fisheries agreements, as in the cases involving the Tunisian authorities. The above working paper examines the roles of the various parties concerned, namely the flag Member State, the Commission and vessel owners, and states that the Commission is not involved and therefore bears no responsibility in the event of the arrest of fishing vessels in such a situation.

However, because of its geographical location and potential marine and economic resources Tunisia could be one of the few Mediterranean countries potentially interested in a bilateral agreement with the Community. The Community is ready to explore possible potential developments in bilateral fisheries cooperation with the Tunisian authorities. At the same time, it is interested in expanding its fisheries cooperation in the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard it is working with the Tunisian administration on the reform and improvement of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), which is the only regional organisation in the Mediterranean that could develop a multilateral framework for the management of fisheries resources in the area and contribute to reinforcing international cooperation between Mediterranean Basin countries.

(1) SEC(2000) 1943.