Beachings

28.9.2018

Question for written answer E-004947-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
José Blanco López (S&D)

Thus far in 2018, the Galician Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños (Coordinator for the Study of Aquatic Mammals, CEMMA) has recorded a total of 289 animals washed ashore on the Galician coast (already more than the 2017 figure of 250), 70% of which have been cetaceans. These figures only confirm a trend on the rise since the 1990s, when beachings first began to be recorded and the average was 138 a year.

Both by-catches and overfishing — the latter a direct result of the lack of food for a number of species unable to compete with humans for resources — are emerging as probable causes of the increase in beachings.

1. Has the Commission detected a general increase in beachings on European shores?

2. Has it considered the need to take specific measures to tackle the increase in beachings?

3. If so, what measures is it planning to take?