Implementation of technical measures in the common fisheries policy

The Committee on Fisheries unanimously adopted the report by Mr GALLAGHER. The rapporteur shared the Commission's view that current measures for controlling fish stocks were inadequate and called for improved consultation with industry. Noting that the Commission communication contained, on balance, a positive analysis of the problem, he called for improved consultation with industry in order to restore fishermen's confidence in the work of scientists. Mr GALLAGHER called for: - an increase in minimum mesh size; - geographical simplification of the rules and the use of clear language in the text of the regulations; - the introduction of square mesh panels which allow juveniles to escape; - detailed specifications of net type and design to discourage any attempts at fraud. Detailed Commission proposals to be published at a later date and examined in a separate report by the Committee on Fisheries (rapporteur: Mrs Maria IZQUIERDO (PSE, E)) would incorporate most of Mr GALLAGHER's suggestions and put forward a compromise solution on minimum mesh sizes.�