International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT): management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention Area
The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by Gabriel MATO (EPP, ES) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention Area of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EC) No 1984/2003 and (EC) No 520/2007.
The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the Commission proposal as follows:
Scope of the Regulation: Members proposed that this Regulation shall also apply to third country vessels.
The measures provided for in this Regulation shall apply in addition to those provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system and Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
ICCAT IUU list: Members considered that the list of vessels participating in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing should include all vessels engaged in IUU fishing, being Contracting parties to ICCAT or not.
Vessels targeting bigeye tuna in the ICCAT Convention area: Members proposed withdrawing from the Commission proposal the provision according to which these vessels may be replaced only by vessels of equivalent capacity or lesser.
Blue marlin and white marlin: Members stated that Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the blue marlin and white marlin are released in a manner that maximise their chances of survival.
The provision foreseeing that Member States encourage the use of monofilament streamer lines on swivel so that live blue marlin and white marlin may be easily released has been deleted.
Management plans: it is stated that management plans have to be submitted by those Member States that have a quota allocated.
Transhipment at sea: transhipment at sea is one of the main causes of the lack of transparency in fisheries globally, that facilitates IUU fishing. Therefore, while the relevant ICCAT Recommendation, that allow for transhipments by large pelagic longliners, has to be accurately transposed, Members considered that the European Commission should pursue its pressure in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMO) to put an end to it.
Allocation of fishing opportunities for bluefin tuna and swordfish stocks: when allocating the fishing opportunities for bluefin tuna and swordfish stocks available to them, Member States shall use transparent and objective criteria, including those of an environmental, social and economic nature.
Moreover, they shall also endeavour to distribute national quotas fairly among the various fleet segments giving special consideration to traditional and artisanal fishing, and to provide incentives to Union fishing vessels deploying selective fishing gear or using fishing techniques with reduced environmental impact.