The outermost islands and the fishing industry

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Margie SUDRE (EPP-ED, F). (Please see the summary of 20/01/04.) Parliament felt that the organisation of the market should be improved by the more active involvement of existing producers and by increasing the eligibility of new species of fish from the outermost regions to benefit from the instruments provided for by the Commission. It went on to state that, in order to ensure the sustainability of own resources, it is imperative to have a zone, in addition to territorial waters, specifically reserved for fishermen of the nations concerned, whose fleets from the outermost regions would have the sole right to exploit the resources in this zone. The outermost regions should also be favoured in negotiations with third countries which have geographical connections with the outermost regions. This should relate to fishing licences, landing facilities, and crewing where this involves boats from the outermost regions.�