Technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species: regional fisheries organisations' recommendations

The committee adopted the report by Yves PIÉTRASANTA (Greens/EFA, F) amending the proposal under the consultation procedure as follows: - the use of monofilament streamer lines on swivels, enabling live blue marlins and white marlins to be easily released, should be made compulsory (rather than merely being encouraged as originally proposed), on the grounds that this would also facilitate the release of live sharks as recommended by the ICCAT; - transshipments from vessels flying flags of convenience, which are engaged in fishing activities diminishing the effectiveness of measures adopted by the IOTC, should be prohibited; - as regards by-catches of undersized fish, the tolerance level for bluefin tuna should be 10% of the quantities landed, to reflect the new ICCAT recommendations concerning small bluefin. The committee added that it should be prohibited to retain on board, land or sell bluefin tuna under 4.8 kg in the Mediterranean; - Member States should develop and implement specific plans, in 2003 and 2004, for reducing the capture of juvenile bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. The plans should aim to reduce by at least 60% the number of fish caught that are below 6.4 kg.�