Fisheries sector: restructuration of the Community fishing industry for the period from 1.1.1997 to 31.12.2002, POP IV

The Council had an extensive debate on the Commission's Proposal, focusing on the main political issues. The President, with a view to making progress in the examination of the Proposal, summed up the debate as follows: "There is general agreement on the necessity to reduce fishing mortality rates to acceptable levels in respect of critical stocks and to find solutions which are appropriate, equitable, transparent and soundly based. In that connexion there is general recognition of the importance of making progress in relation to all available policy instruments, including conservation measures and effective control, to achieve necessary reductions in fishing mortality rates. There is general agreement on the need to assess carefully and to take full account of the socio-economic impact of reductions in fishing activity on the industry and coastal communities. In the light of these fundamental considerations, and reflecting the debate in Council, COREPER should urgently scrutinise all the elements of the Commission Proposal and should take note in its examination of the following points in particular: - the proposed aggregate capacity reduction rates are generally considered to be too high; - the appropriate relationship should be ensured between the scientific recommendations and proposed reductions; �