COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - Small-Scale coastal fishing (Budget heading B2-521)
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 15. 03. 1996 COM(96)102 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SMALL-SCALE COASTAL FISHING (BUDGET HEADING B2-521) SMALL-SCALE COASTAL FISHING (BUDGET HEADING B2-521) (Commission Communication to the Council and Parliament) 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Commission communication is to inform the Council and Parliament about the initiatives taken by the Council in 1995 to. implement budget heading B2-521. It follows on from the undertaking made by the Commission on 10 July 1995 with regard to "small-scale coastal fishing". The new budget heading B2-521, introduced by Parliament, allocated ECU 3 million in commitment appropriations in 1995 for "small-scale coastal fishing", "the economic and social importance" of which ". justifies the creation of this line in the context of structural operations for this sector under the common fisheries policy. ". The remarks contained in the budget referred to a Parliament Resolution0'. The "non-significant" nature of the operation - within the meaning of the second paragraph of Article 22(1) of the Financial Regulation - means that there is no need for the prior adoption of a basic instrument, and hence it is up to the Commission to lay down itself the rules governing the use of the available appropriations, subject to Parliament's resolution of 20 January 1989 referred to above. 2. METHODOLOGY Actions plans The Commission rejected from the first the part-financing of individual products, the management of which would have been inefficient and over-rigid. After fixing a level for the Community contribution (see below), it was decided to ask the Member States to submit whole programmes of a limited scope, known as "action plans for small-scale coastal fishing", drawn up in accordance with simple rules, with stress on subsidiarity. After examination, each plan would be approved by a Commission decision and allocated a single commitment paid in two instalments (an advance on approval of the plan with the balance being paid after completion following submission of a report to the Commission and verification of expenditure). Resolution of the European Parliament of 20. 1. 1989 on small-scale fisheries (Doc. A2-271/88, OJ C 47, 27. 2. 1989, p. 173) 1 Scope Neither the budget heading or the accompanying remarks provide a definition of "small-scale coastal fishing'. The following definition was adopted: " 'small-scale coastal fishing' means fishing by professional fishing vessels of an overall length of less than 9 metres, or 12 metres for vessels equipped for trawling". The potential beneficiaries of the plans are owners, skippers and crew of small-scale coastal fishing vessels. Aims of the plans - type of interventions In order to remain faithful to Parliament's intentions as expressed in the remarks in the budget, a measure will have to focus on the modernisation of small-scale coastal fishing. Some Community fleets are made up of a very small, undecked boats, lacking safety equipment and mechanisation, which are underpowered and without equipment on board for the conservation of catches. Care had nevertheless to be taken to avoid interfering with the multiannual guidance programmes for fishing fleets (MGPs)(2) and, in particular, to provide for very strict guidelines on aid towards new engines for vessels, which could increase fishing effort. A measure has to be distinguishable, however, from the traditional structural operations undertaken with FIFG assistance^. In view of the modest level of resources available, a measure of such limited scope would be politically meaningful and visible only if it is innovative and quality-enhancing for the fishery and can trigger a multiplier effect by being exemplary and serving as a model, conditions requiring more than the simple grant of aid for investments in vessels. It has therefore been decided to give priority to projects which combine such investments with training courses for users of the modernised vessels that are directly related to the investment. (2> (S) According to Article 5(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 of 21 December 1993 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products (OJ L 346, 31. 12. 1993, p. 1), a MGP is "a series of objectives accompanied by a set of measures for their realisation, allowing for management of fishing effort on a consistent, longer-term basis" The conditions governing FIFG assistance are laid down by Regulation (EC) No 3699/93, referred to above. 2 Rate of financing The following rates of financing have been set (as a percentage of eligible expenditure): Type of expenditure Community aid Member State's public contribution (national, regional, etc. ) Beneficiaries' contribution Investment on board vessels £ 75% £5% > 20% Training £ 75% ;> 25% Duration of plans The measures are to be completed at the latest twelve months after the Commission has taken the decision approving a plan. 3. IMPLEMENTATION A letter was sent to the Member States on 8 August 1995 inviting them to submit an action plan for small-scale coastal fishing by 1 October 1995. The Commission's invitation was taken up by seven Member States (Greece, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Sweden). During finalisation of the programming document, the Commission took care to ensure that all the plans actually combined investments for the modernisation of small-scale coastal fishing vessels and training courses for the fishermen concerned. The available appropriations were allocated according to the importance of small-scale coastal fishing in the Member States concerned in terms of both the number of vessels and tonnage. The final allocations were as follows: Member State Total budget National contribution GR E FIN IRL I P S 1. 124. 000 1. 174. 276 193. 333 133. 333 536. 000 689. 000 228. 000 Public 101. 160 183. 179 13. 182 20. 000 54. 000 58. 000 22. 800 TOTAUX 4. 077. 942 452. 321 Private 179. 840 169. 097 35. 151 13. 333 80. 000 114. 000 34. 200 625. 621 (ecu) Community assistance 843. 000 822. 000 145. 000 100. 000 402. 000 517. 000 171. 000 3. 000. 000 The programmes, which were approved by Commission decision of 18 December 1995, will run until the end of 1996 and implementation reports will be submitted during the first half of 1997. Annex : descriptif summary of "small-scale coastal fishing" programs GREECE The small scale coastal fishing fleet in Greece concerns some 16 000 boats and it is considered that it occupies some 21000 fishermen. This fleet presents problems which in particular become more important for the fleets of remote regions characterized by geographical, economic and social isolation. Some of these islands (Tilos, Agathonissi, Lipsi, Anafi, etc. ) live from fishing only which is of particular local importance. The fishing activities are limited both by the age of the boats and by the open seas which encircle these islands, and they do not enable the fishermen to have a sufficient income to modernize their boats. Moreover, the specific training activities relating to environmental protection, to coastal resource management, to product quality, to on board safety and to navigation have until now not sufficiently covered if at all, the fishermen of these insular and remote regions as well as of other regions located in the Aegean and Ionian seas. The action plan for small scale coastal fishing in Greece aims to have two kinds of interventions: The modernization of the boats mainly for the islands Tilos / Agathonissi / Lipsi / Anafi, etc by: the replacement of existing engines by new ones having the same power the supply of pots ensuring the conservation and the quality of the fish the supply of equipment aiming at safety on board Training by seminars in the regions of the Aegean and Ionian seas on the : management of coastal resources awareness of marine environmental protection quality of the products / hygiene rules safety rules on board and navigation requirements It is envisaged that these actions, focused on small scale coastal fishing, will improve the life of the fishermen of these insular and most remote regions. SPAIN The significance of small-scale coastal fishing in Spain should be appreciated from the point of view of its impact on regions rather than its specific importance to the fisheries sector as a whole. Moreover, despite its minor importance in terms of added value it is a significant creator of jobs and income in the national economy. The Spanish fishing fleet currently comprises some 19 000 vessels, 13 000 of which are part of the small-scale coastal sub-sector. The action plan is targeted at that part of the fleet segment which is based in a small number of ports (28) which have a significant number of those vessels (at least 1 350) and which are generally located in coastal areas highly dependent on the fisheries sector. They cover all parts of the Spanish coastline and the Balearic Islands. The action plan proposes a series of measures grouped in two fields of assistance: Investments in fishing vessels Installation of facilities to improve safety on board. Design of a highly standardised refrigerator model for fishery products and of small containers to facilitate product handling and transport and to contribute to improving fishery product hygiene and quality. Technical studies aimed at identifying the best type of engine for the fishery zones normally used by the vessels concerned by the plan and at improving maintenance. It is envisaged that a total of 472 vessels of the small-scale coastal fishing fleet will be eligible for aid. Training for fishermen Organisation of training days covering safety standards on board and ways of avoiding hazard situations in coastal navigation. Organisation of courses on survival at sea. Organisation of courses on selective fishing methods and on improving work hygiene on board. In all, 28 training courses will be organised on site and beneficiaries of the aids mentioned in point 1 will have priority. The innovatory aspect of the assistance, in a fleet segment often overlooked but having a rate of accidents at sea higher than other segments, forms the basis for the plan. The proposed measures take account both of increased safety on board and of an increase in the effectiveness of the emergency services created for fishermen by the local authorities. Administration of the plan is decentralised and the various regional authorities competent for the envisaged measures will be responsible for their implementation. However, Spain's central government will coordinate the plan. IRELAND The plan submitted by Ireland concentrates primarily in the training of owners, skippers and crewmen of small fishing vessels. Provision has also been made for assisting owners to invest in safety equipment. The Irish fishing fleet is predominantly made up of smaller vessels. There are 907 vessels under 12 metres in registered length, representing 65 % of all vessels in the fleet. Of the 907 vessels under 12 metres, 433 are under nine metres in length (approx. 31 % of the total number of vessels in the fleet). Ireland has long recognised the contribution which these small fishing vessels make to many remote coastal communities where few alternative employment opportunities exist. The major problems facing the small-scale coastal fishery in Ireland are: a lack of awareness of correct safety procedures and of the limitations of small open boats particularly in terms of stability and the attendant danger of overloaded vessels capsizing; the effects of prolonged periods of rough weather, especially on the South, West and North-West coasts which are exposed to Atlantic storms; overdependance in some areas on a limited range of target species. A training programme aimed exclusively at the owners/crew of small vessels will be undertaken at fishing ports around the coast. The programme will include seminars, workshops and demonstration focusing on the following areas: safety; maintenance and equipment; fish quality; resource conservation; alternative resources; book-keeping and financial control. The training programme will be supplemented by a series of educational posters and leaflets. One of the problems with small fishing vessels is that they are often poorly maintained and lack even the basic life saving and firefighting equipment. The plan provides assistance for this type of equipment. ITALY The Italian fleet concerned is composed as follows : 7398 vessels under 9 metres overall lenght, 1271 vessels (trawlers) under 12 metres overall lenght. Problems concerning this segment of the Italian fleet : general obsolescence of the vessels; growing conflict with other segments of the fleet in the exploitation of coastal resources. Italian Authorities have identified 20 ports and 330 vessels that will benefit from this action. Total EU contribution will be divided equally between each of the two measures. Type of intervention envisaged On board investment Safety on board : it is envisaged that all vessels will be fitted with a navigation device (GPS type), to establish the location of vessels in case of necessity, since vessels now tend to fish farther from the coast. Vessel Efficiency : vessels will be supplied with a net-winding winch for use in deeper waters. Quality preservation of the fish : the installation of fibreglass containers to improve quality is envisaged. Vocational training : the vocational training courses envisaged are related to the actions considered under the investments on board, in order to provide the technical knowledge for using this new equipment (navigation device, net-winding winch, fish handling techniques on board). Linkage of the two types of investment and role of the Producer Associations : vocational training courses will be directed only at those who have participated in the investment on board. These training courses will be organised only when the first phase of the investment on board has been carried out. Italian Authorities have assured the Commission that training courses will be available to each investor and that a promotion campaign for this initiative will be launched. The Italian Authorities have nominated the Producer Organisations as the responsible bodies for the execution of the plan. They will be invited to introduce detailed operational programmes and to assume the direct responsibility for their execution. PORTUGAL On board investment Improve on board safety - to meet the needs of the sector (the means of rescue and of safety are often insufficient since the sheltered areas and the harbours in the North of Portugal are dangerous). Quality improvement of fish products. Use or even the existence of means for preserving fish products is not widespread Training Promotion of fishermen's training by raising the awareness about the means of rescue and improvement of the product quality. Scope: Coastal fishing vessels of length overall less than 9 or 12 metres for the trawlers located on North and the Centre of Portugal. Objectives of the plan - type of intervention. The acquisition of rescue and safety equipment envisaged in the Portuguese action plan (signals and buoys, life-jackets, rafts, extinguishers) is in line with the type of eligible actions envisaged in the action plan established by DG XIV. FINLAND Each year, there are about 100-150 fishermen in the Finnish archipelago who use "fyke" nets to catch herring and to a lesser extent perch, pike-perch and pike. A fyke net is a net which is fixed in shallow water with poles and has a cone shaped end to catch the fish. The fishermen operate from small vessels around the many islands and small inlets. Catching herring and other species with fyke nets is a traditional but laborious way of fishing in these remote areas where there are few harbours and landing facilities. In the south west coast of Finland, the fishermen's Association is proposing that the Association, the national authorities and the Commission together jointly finance two measures as follows: To finance the construction of a new and specialised fishing boat which would serve the fyke net fishermen and be equipped with a pumping system to extract fish from the fyke nets. The equipment would include a sorting machine and machinery for boxing and chilling fish. This would be a pilot type project which, if successful, would enable the development of the fyke netting of perch and other species. To finance the training of fishermen to operate this proposed new boat and equipment. The potential benefits of this investment are; it will help reduce the decline in this traditional fishery, if very successful other fishermen will use the same technique, it will enable the development of fyke fishing for other species, maintain the quality of the fish. SWEDEN The Swedish plan, submitted on 29. 09. 95, includes the following 4 measures: Investments on board vessels: this measure concerns the introduction and development of more selective gear in coastal fisheries, i. e. purchase and installation of exit windows/square meshes in Norway lobster trawlers, selective prawn and vendace trawls, and finally development and introduction of more selective fyke nets in the eel fisheries and in creels for shellfish fisheries. Compensation for loss of income during trial periods is envisaged (max. 10 % of public expenditures). Improvement of safety and working conditions on board small scale fishing vessels i. e. development, purchase and installation of safety equipment, investments aimed at noise reduction and facilities for safer handling of gear and catches. Improvement of product quality and refrigeration/chilling/catch handling. Training in theory and practice in using selective gear, safety training (4-day course offered to 500 fishermen), training in procedures for hygiene conditions and quality control. in equipment investments freshness, i. e. for The innovative character of the measures is stressed in the sense that the investments in new gear will be tested in actual professional fisheries. The training will ensure the efficient use of new gear, equipment and methods. The National Board of Fisheries (Fiskeriverket) will be responsible for the execution of the programme. Investments on board fishing vessels and training account for resp. 80% and 20% of the envisaged total costs of the plan. During bilateral consultations, in particular on the budgetary aspects, the Swedish authorities have expressed a preference forthe first two measures concerning selective fishing methods and improvement of safety and working conditions. Considering the allocation of the funds available for the interested Member States and the Swedish preference for the first two measures, it is proposed that only these measures and training shall be eligible for Community assistance under the action plan for small-scale coastal fishing in Sweden. The allocation between the eligible measures of the funds available for Sweden will be as follows: - selective fishing gear - safety and working conditions - training 50% 30% 20% 10 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 102 final DOCUMENTS EN 03 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-110-EN-C ISBN 92-78-01413-3 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg ^AA