Text tabled : A7-0142/2011

  Antonello Antinoro (PPE), in writing. – (IT) I supported the recommendation because the European Union must send out a strong message against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. The European Union is a major international player on issues regarding the management of fishing. As such it must lend its support to anything relating to the enforcement of international rules on infringements. Mrs Fraga Estévez has welcomed the efforts made by the European Commission for the adoption of resolutions based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Port State Measures Agreement. In committee, we strongly supported the idea of continuing to push for these proposals. Indeed, illegal fishing includes declared ships that fish for undersized species as well as fishing by unauthorised boats in protected areas or too close to coastlines.

Unfortunately, illegal fishing accounts for some 60% of the products that arrive on our markets, and this causes uncertainties about their quality and makes them difficult to trace. This is why we believe that Europe should set an example to all other countries operating in this sector, which end up gaining an advantage on international markets because they do not have to respect any of the limits imposed on our fishermen.