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

2013/0133(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 556 votes to 6, with 13 abstentions, a legislative resolution 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.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of an agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council. They amended the proposal as follows:

Fishing seasons: Parliament and the Council introduced an amendment which reflected the recommendation adopted at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in 2013. This recommendation allow modifications to the fishing seasons for baitboats and trolling boats in the eastern Atlantic that do not affect the protection of the Bluefin tuna spawning grounds in the Mediterranean.

In this context, for the years 2014 and 2015, and since the protection of the spawning grounds is not affected, Member States may specify, in their annual national fishing plans, a different starting date for baitboats and trolling boats flying their flag and operating in the eastern Atlantic, provided that the total duration of the open season for those fisheries continues to comply with the Regulation.

Use of stereoscopic cameras during caging operations: the colegislators introduced a new article providing for the use of stereoscopic camera systems in the context of caging operations shall comply with the following conditions.

In particular: (i) the sampling intensity of live fish shall not be below 20% of the amount of fish being caged; (ii) samples should be made up of fish measured at a distance of between 2 and 8 m from the camera; (iii) the dimensions of the transfer gate connecting the donor cage and the receiving cage shall be set at a maximum width of 10 m and a maximum height of 10 m.

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