WRITTEN QUESTION E-0935/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 March 2000)

Subject: Threat to dolphins by fishing practices

What assessment has the Commission made of the threat to dolphins caused by the use of pelagic nets by French and Spanish fishing vessels, and what action does it intend to take to prevent the avoidable killing of dolphin in this way?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The Commission is aware of the problem and shares the concern of the Honourable Member at the incidental capture of dolphins in certain pelagic fishing activities.

However, the Commission would first of all point out that Spanish fishing vessels are not allowed to use pelagic trawls due to the provisions of Spanish legislation.

By-catches of cetaceans by midwater trawls are nevertheless a major concern for the Commission and involve several Member States, mainly in Northern Europe including France.

For this reason the Commission has supported several research projects and studies on interaction between marine mammals (mainly cetaceans) and fishing activities, both in Atlantic and North Sea areas as well as in the Mediterranean. As an example, the most recent study approved for funding entitled Automated detection of dolphins around pelagic trawls, is being conducted by the Royal society for nature conservation and is expected to be finalised by 31 July 2001.

Research and studies cannot be sufficient. The Commission on the basis of the results of the above-mentioned studies and all other available information, will consider all possibilities for tackling effectively this problem. These include co-ordination of national policies, improvement of scientific knowledge and proposal of improved measures on control of by-catches.