Conservation of fish resources: reduction of the quantity of by-catches of cetaceans

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Heinz KINDERMANN (PES, D), making several amendments to the proposal. (Please see the summary of 20/01/04.) Parliament stated that, in the long term, alternative methods to prevent the incidental killing of small cetaceans have to be developed, taking into consideration the outcomes of the monitoring and assessment. Research is already under way into alternative fishing gear aimed at reducing the incidental catches of cetaceans, such as separator grids. The Commission must encourage and react expediently to the outcome of such research. EU research projects should be commissioned as soon as possible to provide scientific support for the measures laid down in the Regulation. They should investigate the impact of the acoustic deterrent devices on the cetacean population and the marine ecosystem, the development of alternative fishing gear and fishing methods and any other reasons for the decline in the cetacean population. Lastly, the minimum percentage of the fishing effort covered by on-board observers must be 10 % (at least 3 vessels) from April to November and 15 % (at least 3 vessels) from December to March. These figures are increased from the Commission's figures of 5% and 10% respectively.�