MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the contribution of the Common Fisheries Policy to the production of public goods
9.11.2011
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
João Ferreira, Patrick Le Hyaric, Willy Meyer, Nikolaos Chountis, Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Jacky Hénin on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
B7‑0581/2011
European Parliament resolution on the contribution of the Common Fisheries Policy to the production of public goods
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the fishing industry is of strategic importance in socio-economic terms and in terms of the public supply of fish and the food balance in Member States, and whereas it makes a considerable contribution to socio-economic wellbeing in coastal communities, local development, employment, the preservation and creation of economic activities and jobs upstream and downstream, the supply of fresh fish and the preservation of local cultural traditions;
B. whereas the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) must take account of the marked differences between fleets, fleet segments, target species, fishing gear, productivity, consumption preferences and the fish consumed per capita in the various EU Member States, in addition to the special features of fishing activity stemming from their social structure and structural and natural imbalances between the various fishing regions;
C. whereas the CFP will need to guarantee the maintenance of fishing activity in a balanced and sustainable form along the whole coastline of EU countries, based on decentralised management and guaranteeing a standard of living and working conditions for people working in the fishing industry on a par with people working in other productive sectors in the EU;
D. whereas, within the general context of the fisheries sector, small-scale coastal fisheries and traditional fishing are taking on a particularly important role in economic, social, environmental and cultural terms, and whereas this will need to be duly acknowledged and promoted within the CFP;
E. whereas the sustainability of fishery resources is fundamental in guaranteeing fishing activity and the viability of the fishing industry in the long term;
F. whereas action to promote the sustained development of a given region should enhance the interaction between its natural environmental and human components and promote the quality of life of its coastal communities; whereas a policy for fisheries must start from the assumption of interdependence between the welfare of these communities and the sustainability of ecosystems of which they are an integral part;
G. whereas the economic and social crisis which the fisheries sector is experiencing is affecting all fishing fleets and jeopardising the sector’s multifunctionality and, with it, the production of related public goods;
H. whereas the multifunctionality of the fisheries sector is apparent in various areas, such as the economic, social, historical and cultural, scientific, educational and environmental spheres;
1. Reaffirms that fishing is a fundamental activity for guaranteeing the food supply to the public, and considers that this is the primordial aim of any and every fisheries policy;
2. Reiterates that the CFP should promote the modernisation and sustainable development of the fishing industry, safeguarding its socio-economic viability and the sustainability of fisheries resources, with the aim of guaranteeing the supply of fish to the public and food sovereignty and security, the preservation and creation of jobs and improved living conditions for fishermen, and ensuring the sustained development of coastal areas that depend most heavily on fishing;
3. Considers that the multifunctionality of the fisheries sector is apparent in various areas, which undeniably contribute to the production of public goods benefiting the population as a whole, not merely in coastal areas;
4. Stresses that, within the general context of the fisheries sector, small-scale coastal fisheries and traditional fishing are taking on a particularly important role in socio-economic, environmental and cultural terms, as well as in terms of multifunctionality and the production of public goods; emphasises, therefore, that it is important that the future CFP recognise the specific nature of this part of the sector and provide for more favourable support measures;
5. Stresses the importance of the fisheries sector for the socio-economic development and well-being of coastal communities and its contribution to local development and the creation of direct and indirect jobs in the sector; underlines that the future CFP should take due account of all these dimensions, which is something that has not been done in an entirely satisfactory manner under the current CFP;
6. Considers that the CFP should, of itself and with other policies, contribute to the preservation and creation of economic activities and jobs, both upstream and downstream of fishing, such as shipbuilding, fishery products processing industries, tourism and catering;
7. Points out that the fisheries sector contributes to the preservation of significant aspects of the historical and cultural heritage and local traditions linked to marine life and activities in general; stresses that the future CFP should take due account of this, which is something that has not been done in an entirely satisfactory manner under the current CFP;
8. Stresses that scientific fisheries research is an essential tool for fisheries management that is indispensable for identifying the factors that influence the development of fishery resources, with a view to carrying out a quantitative assessment and developing models that make it possible to forecast their development, but also for improving fishing gear, vessels and working and safety conditions for fishermen, in conjunction with their knowledge and experience; considers that the future CFP should step up support for the collecting and processing of data relating to fishery resources;
9. Points out that research into and the collection of socio-economic data concerning fisheries and related activities, both upstream and downstream, are of major importance in assessing the practical results of policies, identifying problems, blockages and constraints and finding and defining solutions; considers that the future CFP should not disregard this area and should step up support for the collection and supply of socio-economic data;
10. Points out that scientific research should take account of the social, environmental and economic components of fishing activity; considers it essential to assess the impact of the various fisheries management systems/instruments on employment and income in fishing communities;
11. Considers that the EU should recognise and support the important role played by the fisheries sector as a support for education and scientific research in the marine, estuary and freshwater sectors;
12. Stresses that a Common Fisheries Policy presupposes fair Community financing with the aim of guaranteeing that aquatic resources are exploited in a way that safeguards sustainability in economic, environmental and social terms, multifunctionality and effective and profitable production of public goods;
13. Considers that the multifunctionality of the fisheries sector should be fully taken into account in the CFP’s financing plan; rejects any attempt to renationalise the costs of the CFP;
14. Stresses that the principle of convergence in the allocation of structural and cohesion funds, including the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), should be maintained, in line with the solidarity principle and economic and social cohesion; draws attention to the very low take-up of EFF appropriations owing to the economic crisis, particularly in those countries with the weakest economies, which is jeopardising multifunctionality and the production of public goods; urges the Commission to put forward measures to increase the take-up of these appropriations in all EFF axes;
15. Insists that the EFF must continue to grant aid for the renewal and modernisation of fishing fleets - especially to replace motors on safety grounds, protect the environment or save fuel - above all for small-scale coastal and traditional fishermen, and also for replacing vessels that are more than twenty years old and are no longer operating in safe conditions;
16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.