Common fisheries policy: protection of resources, the environment and consumers. Green Paper

The European Parliament adopted the resolution by Mrs Rosa MIGUELEZ RAMOS (PES, E). (Please refer to the decision of the committee responsible 18/12/01). It should also be added that the European Parliament considered that reform should take account of the three main aspects: deep sea fishing, small coastal fishing, aquaculture, an important pillar of the CFP, which is increasingly helping to meet the growing demand of fishery products on the Community. With regard to the conservation and management of fishery resources, the Commission is urged, in order to give increased protection to marine biotopes, to adopt fisheries legislation based on the precautionary principle, not only to ensure the survival of species but also to optimise levels of exploitation. In addition, the current system of total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas needs to be improved and made more flexible, i.e more 'multi-species' oriented and more multiannual. It was also suggested that any interannual upward or downward variation in a TAC of more than 15-20% to be preceded by a socio-economic impact report (except in cases of a dramatic and proven change in the situation of the resource). Parliament also highlighted the point that the Hague Resolution is an intrinsic part of relative stability and reflects the Community's commitment to coastal communities. The House also expresses surprise at the lack of references in the Green Paper to the role of industrial fishing which, in the current situation where resources are scarce, accounts for two-thirds of Community catches, which are used for the production of fish meal and fish oils. With regard to fleet fishing, the Parliament rejects the Commission's intention substantially to reduce structural aid in the fishing industry, bearing in mind the socio-economic difficulties facing the industry and considers that in light of past results, structural aid should be redistributed on a more equitable basis. As regards the Mediterranean, the Parliament considers that new guidelines are needed for the management of Mediterranean resources.�