WRITTEN QUESTION P-2974/00

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

(13 September 2000)

Subject: The Commission's criteria for allocating fishing opportunities in the waters of the Svalbard archipelago

In its reply of 20 July 2000 to my question E-2196/00(1), the Commission stated that with regard to allocating opportunities for the Community fleet to fish for shrimps in Svalbard waters, at a meeting held on 30 June the Member States involved agreed to a fishing plan for this year. This development, which I already knew about, can only be welcomed, but in view of the Commission's initial proposal to the Member States even though it did not reach the stage of a formal proposal to the Council, which was subsequently amended by the Member States, doubts remain as to the Commission's criteria when allocating these fishing opportunities. This being so, and given that the aforesaid agreement applies only to this year:

What are the Commission's criteria for proposing reference periods, and particularly, in the case under consideration?

Does the Commission continue to hold the view, upheld in various international fora, that a single year's fishing activity cannot be used as a historical maximum?

Can the Commission tell me what its intentions are with regard to its proposal for the year 2001, the reference period it intends to use for this proposal, and the arguments on which it will be based?

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 2000)

It is the responsibility of the Commission to propose reference periods on an ad hoc basis in conformity with the detailed circumstances applicable to fisheries of various characteristics. This applies equally to fisheries by Community vessels for shrimps in the Svalbard area.

In that context, the possibility to refer to some maximum value within a range of years proposed by the Commission for each Member State is not precluded. Indeed, this approach was used when establishing allocation keys in 1998 for various fish stocks in the North Sea.

At present, the Commission has not decided whether a proposal dealing with 2001 will be required. Discussion has been initiated with the concerned Member States. It is possible that a further non-legislative solution may be found.