WRITTEN QUESTION No. 508/98 by Dominique SOUCHET to the Council. Prohibition on the use of driftnets
C 323/44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 10. 98 (98/C 323/58) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0508/98 by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Council (27 February 1998) Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, a Commission expert body, has acknowledged both the aptness of the methods chosen and the quality of the results of the study carried out in 1993 by Ifremer (Institut Français de Recherche pour líExploitation de la Mer › French Oceanographic Institute) on the environmental impact of driftnets in the Atlantic. In its conclusions, it merely notes that driftnet fishing requires áclose monitoringí. Since 1993 net length has been limited to 2. 5 km, the number of boats using this fishing gear has been reduced and net technology has improved, so that it is certain that the mortality rate has greatly diminished. In view of these developments, does the Council believe that it is reasonable to accept the Commissionís proposal to abolish the use of driftnets in the Atlantic (outside coastal waters)? (98/C 323/59) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0510/98 by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Council (27 February 1998) Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets The Council is considering changing its position on the prohibition on the use of driftnets in the Atlantic (outside coastal waters). On what scientific basis is the Commission relying when it abandons its traditional position in this way and adopts that of the Commission? It is certain that other species are accidentally caught in driftnets in the Baltic Sea. Information gathered by the ICES shows that these include several species of birds (guillemot and razorbill) and marine mammals (seals and porpoises). The populations of some of these species in these areas have been considerably reduced (porpoises and common seal). In addition, the wild salmon stock in the Baltic Sea is threatened. In light of this information, does the Council believe that it is logical to prohibit the use of 2. 5 km driftnets in the Atlantic (outside coastal waters) and to authorize 21 km driftnets in the Baltic Sea? Joint answer to Written Questions E-0502/98, 0504/98, 0506/98, 0508/98 and 0510/98 (6 July 1998) At its meeting on 8 June 1998, the Council adopted the Regulation prohibiting the use of driftnets as from 1 January 2002. For a transitional period, fishing vessels will be able to keep on board or use for fishing, driftnets having a maximum length of 2. 5 km if authorised to do so by the flag Member State. With the exception of the waters of the Baltic Sea, Belts and Oresund, this Regulation applies in all waters coming under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member States and, outside those waters, to every Community fishing vessel. As the Honourable Member is aware, Resolution No 44/225 adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 22 December 1989, as confirmed by successive Resolutions, most recently General Assembly Resolution No 51/36 of 9 December 1996, calls for full implementation of a global moratorium on all large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing on the high seas. In the Baltic Sea, drift-netting for salmon is governed by the fishery rules of the relevant regional organisation, the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission, as implemented in Community law by Council Regulation No 88/98 (1)