Conservation of resources: specific access requirements to fishing for deep-sea stocks

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the report by Michael HOLMES (IND, UK) on fishing for deep-sea stocks. Parliament made the following amendments to the Commission's proposal: -ling and tusk are not part of the proposal; -a recital is expanded to state that independent scientific observers in collaboration with the fishing industry and other interested parities must obtain information; -each year, on the basis of scientific advice and in consultation with the fishing industry, the Commission will designate areas for seasonal or full-year closures to conserve particularly vulnerable stocks; -enforcement of the designated port system will not risk the safety of vessels and their crew. Where a vessel lands deep-sea species at an undesignated port owing to safety reasons or force majeure, the master of the vessel must immediately inform the relevant authorities of the catch landed and provide justification for landing at an undesignated port; -the information to be communicated by Member States about catches and fishing effort must be expressed as fishing days out of port, broken down by catch area and identification of vessel concerned. This replaces the Commission's proposal, which states that the information is to be expressed as kilowatt-fishing days, broken down by quarter of the year, by type of gear, by species and by ICES statistical rectangle or by CECAF subdivision; -a review of progress is needed no later than three years after entry into force; -the Commission will conduct an investigation into the expected loss of revenue and effort displacement resulting from the reduction in fishing effort implied by this Regulation. Recommendations must be made to mitigate adverse impacts on conservation or the viability of affected fishing enterprises.�