Common Fisheries Policy CFP: reform action programme and roadmap

The European Parliament adopted a resolution which was initially drawn up by Camilo NOGUEIRA ROMAN (Greens/EFA, Spain) but taken under the name of Struan STEVENSON (EPP-ED, UK). (Please refer to the document dated 5/11/02.) Parliament stressed that the Commission's multiannual management plans can only achieve their objective if the targets are set at sufficiently conservative levels and the plans themselves are adaptive in nature. The management plans must be multiannual and multi-species. Discards must be minimised. Parliament stated that areas where fisheries are restricted, either by closed seasons, boxes or restricted access to local waters, should be based on scientific criteria designed to protect resources. The 6-12 mile coastal zones should be established as an element of the CFP for an unlimited period, if legally possible, in order to promote conservation and encourage the development of small-scale fisheries. In any case, that the derogation concerning free access must be extended to 50 miles in the case of the most remote regions, pursuant to Article 299(2) of the EC Treaty. The Commission is asked to study the feasibility of giving consideration to the environmental impact of particular fleets, so that those fishing fleets using gears and methods which have reduced environmental impact can be given preferential access to fish stocks. In relation to international agreements, Parliament felt that fisheries agreements must remain in the public sector, negotiated and administered by the Commission, as this is the only way to maintain a degree of transparency and accountability. It decried the increasing trend to private arrangements, over which the EU authorities have no control whatsoever. Finally, Parliament felt that fishermen's support for fisheries regulations will be improved by involving fishermen's organisations and other interested parties in the decision-making process, thereby establishing greater confidence in the validity of the scientific basis of the system.�