Conservation of fishery resources: juveniles of marine organisms

The committee adopted the report (consultation procedure) by Pat the Cope GALLAGHER (UEN, IRL) approving without amendment the Commission proposal amending the EC regulations on the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean and the protection of juveniles of marine organisms. The report felt that any measures designed to enhance the protection of juveniles in the Mediterranean (an important spawning area for bluefin tuna), such as those agreed at the ICCAT meeting, were to be welcomed and that the proposal should therefore be supported. However, it reiterated the all too familiar point that Parliament was not consulted in time to give its opinion during the 6-month period during which ICCAT Contracting Parties can raise objections to its recommendations. The report said that the Commission should review its administrative procedures to ensure that Parliament was consulted in time. It also called on the Commission to take the lead at future ICCAT meetings in urging further measures to protect juvenile bluefin tuna and encourage the recovery of stocks.