Within the wake of a dispute between France and Spain over a fishing ban within the Bay of Biscay, the European Fee and MEPs reiterated the necessity for such bans however known as for coordination between member states when imposing them.
As France’s disputed suspension of fishing within the Bay of Biscay – from 22 January to twenty February – attracts to an in depth, the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries debated on Monday, 19 February, on the legitimacy of this unilateral choice and its future.
Final December, below strain from NGOs and following an injunction from the Council of State, the French authorities closed fishing within the Bay of Biscay for one month to vessels over eight metres lengthy geared up with sure pelagic nets, trawls and seines to scale back the mortality of dolphins, which fishermen had unintentionally trapped.
In line with the Worldwide Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), round 9,000 widespread dolphins die yearly because of unintentional seize on the French Atlantic coast, whereas the “sustainable” variety of deaths shouldn’t exceed 4,900.
Nonetheless, these seasonal bans of 1 month stay “inadequate”, stated Maja Kirchner, the Fee’s consultant to MEPs. Compared, the ICES recommends closing three months in winter and one month in summer time within the best-case state of affairs. Kirchner additionally known as on the member states to make such choices collectively sooner or later.
“The purpose is that subsequent winter, in 2024-2025, these measures will already be in place”, added Ms Kirchner.
Lack of session
With over 450 French boats and round 40 Spanish boats docked for the previous month, the economic fishing sector has been extremely crucial of France’s unilateral measure.
“How can France unilaterally shut its waters to all EU vessels with out prior session, simply 4 days earlier than the closure and with out offering any compensation?” requested Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, president of the European Affiliation of Fish Producers’ Organisations (AEOP).
Luis Planas, Spain’s minister for agriculture, fisheries and meals, lately gave assurances that his fishermen would obtain help, whereas the French authorities has promised compensation of “80 to 85% of turnover for professionals banned from fishing”.
The Fee consultant stated these French requests are “at the moment being examined” by DG Competitors, the Fee directorate liable for state help.
In line with Clara Aguilera MEP, “France took its measure with out consulting the Spanish authorities”, so the Fee should “name France to order”. Of the 41 Spanish vessels affected by the ban, solely half have been capable of redirect to different fishing grounds, she factors out.
Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) additionally condemned the choice, which was taken “in haste” and with out session. “France has its share of duty”, acknowledged Caroline Roose (Greens).
Maja Kirchner identified that there had been prior discussions between France, the Fee and the Member States on “the character of the measures to be carried out”.
Nonetheless, as no widespread floor was discovered, France needed to adjust to the Conseil d’État ruling.
Longer joint bans
In line with the Fee, longer-term closures can solely be imposed via collaborative motion from member states.
Certainly, Article 13 of the Widespread Fisheries Coverage (CFP) regulation stipulates that emergency measures should be adopted “solely after session of the Fee, the member states involved and the related Advisory Councils on the draft measures, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum”.
The Fee is now encouraging member states to arrange working teams on the regional degree – as offered for within the CFP since 2013 – equivalent to a “south-western waters” group between France and Spain.
“Member states must agree on longer closures, which could be performed rapidly,” concluded Kirchner.
On the identical time, the Fee is encouraging member states to step up analysis into bycatch prevention methods (sound and lightweight repellents, and many others.) utilizing European funds.
[Edited by Angelo Di Mambro/Alice Taylor]
Learn extra with Euractiv
