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Multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean: fishing seasons

2013/0133(COD)

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by Raül ROMEVA i RUEDA (Greens/EFA, ES) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 302/2009 concerning a multiannual recovery plan for Bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The parliamentary committee recommended that the position adopted by the European Parliament at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission’s proposal as follows:

Fishing seasons: Members introduced an amendment which reflects the amendment adopted at the 2013 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This recommendation stated that the Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties, Entities or Fishing Entities may specify a different starting date for the fishing seasons for their bait boats and trolling boats operating in the eastern Atlantic, while keeping the total duration of the open season for these fisheries.

Furthermore, whilst the Commission proposed that fishing for Bluefin tuna by other gears than those mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 5 shall be permitted throughout the year, Members wished to specify that fishing for Bluefin tuna by traps, small longliners (< 24m) and handliners shall be permitted throughout the year.

Use of stereoscopic cameras during caging operations: Members introduced a new article providing for the use of stereoscopic cameras during caging operations under certain conditions. In particular, the sampling intensity of live fish shall not be below 20% of the amount of fish being caged. The width and height of the transfer gate connecting the donor cage and the receiving cage shall be set at maximum of 10 meters.

The information communicated on the results of the stereoscopical programme shall indicate the margin of error inherent to the technical specifications of the stereoscopic camera system, which shall not exceed +/-5%.