91999E1537

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1537/99

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

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Compliance with Regulation (EC) 1239/98 outlawing fishing with driftnets

Regulation (EC) 1239/98 of 8 June 1998(1) amending Regulation (EC) 0894/97 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources outlaws the use of driftnets by Community vessels, as of 1 January 2002. Nonetheless, the Regulation authorises the phasing-out of driftnets as of 1998: Article 1(3) states that in 1998 the maximum number of vessels which may be authorised by a Member State to carry on board or fish with one or more driftnets shall not exceed 60 % of the number of vessels which used one or more driftnets over the period 1995-1997. The second fishing season for the longfinned tuna (Thunnus alalunga) since the Regulation came into force has already started.

In view of this, does the Commission consider the situation to be satisfactory as regards the two fishing seasons thus far? What is the Commission's evaluation of the degree of compliance with the Regulation by the fleets concerned?

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Joint answer to Written Questions P-1537/99 and E-1561/99 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Member States concerned have sent the Commission the information referred to in Article 11a(4) of Regulation (EC) 0894/97 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources(1).

According to this information, the number of fishing vessels driftnetting for long finned tuna in the north-east Atlantic in the period from 1995 to 1997 and the number of vessels authorised to do so in 1998 and 1999 were as follows:

>TABLE>

The information provided by the Member States in question shows that the requirement laid down in Article 11a(3) of Regulation (EC) 0894/97 is being complied with. The Commission will verify the data provided by the Member States for the 1995-1997 period as part of the checks conducted under Article 29 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy(2).

(1) OJ L 132, 23.5.1997.

(2) OJ L 261, 20.10.1993.