RAPPORT dwar sajd qrib il-kosta u l-problemi li ltaqgħu magħhom is-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta

26.4.2006 - (2004/2264(INI))

Kumitat għas-Sajd
Rapporteur: Seán Ó Neachtain

Proċedura : 2004/2264(INI)
Ċiklu ta' ħajja waqt sessjoni
Ċiklu relatat mad-dokument :  
A6-0141/2006

MOZZJONI GĦAL RIŻOLUZZJONI TAL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW

dwar sajd qrib il-kosta u l-problemi li ltaqgħu magħhom is-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta

(2004/2264(INI))

Il-Parlament Ewropew,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Politika Komuni għas-Sajd,

–   wara li kkunsidra r-Regolamenti tal-Fond Ewropew għas-Sajd,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikolu 11 tar-Regulament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 2792/1999 tas-17 ta' Diċembru 1999 li jistabbilixxi regoli u modalitajiet dettaljati dwar assistenza strutturali mill-Komunità fis-settur tas-sajd[1],

–   wara li kkunsidra r-riżoluzzjoni tiegħu tal-5 ta' April 2001 dwar is-Sajd: is-sikurezza u l-kawżi ta' l-inċidenti[2],

–   wara li kkunsidra r-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 2371/2002 ta' l-20 ta' Diċembru 2002 dwar il-konservazzjoni u l-esplojtazzjoni sostenibbli tar-riżorsi tas-sajd skond il-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd[3],

–   wara li kkunsidra r-Regolament tal-Kunsill 1421/2004 tad-19 ta'Lulju 2004 li jemenda r-Regolament (KE) Nru 2792/1999 li jistabbilixxi regoli u modalitajiet dettaljati dwar assistenza strutturali mill-Komunità fis-settur tas-sajd[4],

–   wara li kkunsidra r-riżoluzzjoni tiegħu tal-15 ta' Diċembru 2005 dwar netwerks tan-Nisa: sajd, biedja u diversifikazzjoni[5]

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Istrategija ta' Liżbona,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikolu 45 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura tiegħu,

–   wara li kkunsidra r-rapport tal-Kumitat għas-Sajd u l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat għad-Drittijiet tan-Nisa u l-Ugwaljanza bejn is-Sessi (A6-0141/2006),

A. billi sajd qrib il-kosta, speċjalment sajd mill-art u tradizzjonali fuq skala żgħira, jagħmel kontribut konsiderevoli għall-ġid soċjoekonomiku tal-komunitajiet kostali, għax jikkontribwixxi għall-iżvilupp lokali, il-preservazzjoni/ħolqien ta' impjiegi konnessi miegħu kemm qabel u kemm wara, il-provvista ta' ħut frisk u l-preservazzjoni tal-kulturi tradizzjonali lokali,

B. billi il-kriżi ekonomika u soċjali li taffettwa s-settur tas-sajd tbeżża' partikolarment lill-oqsma tal-flotot anqas kompetittivi, speċjalment is-sajd qrib il-kosta,

C. billi jeżistu bħalissa diversi miżuri relatati ma' l-aspetti differenti ta' sajd fuq skala żgħira f'numru ta' regolamenti tal-Komunità,

D. billi l-politika komuni dwar is-sajd u l-istrumenti tagħha, speċjalment rigward l-EFP tal-futur, għandha tikkunsidra s-sajd qrib il-kosta u tadatta għall-problemi speċifiċi tiegħu, fuq kollox rigwad sajd qrib il-kosta fuq skala żgħira u dak tradizzjonali,

E. billi huwa importanti li jiġi żgurat il-futur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta fl-Unjoni Ewropea, minħabba l-kontribut tiegħu għall-impjiegi fl-inħawi kostali, filwaqt li jiġi rrispettat il-bżonn li tiġi evitata kapaċità żejda f'din it-taqsima tal-flotot u t-tnaqqis konsegwenti ta' riżorsi,

F billi, minkejja l-qgħad għoli u popolazzjoni ta' sajjieda li qed tixjieħ, jeżisti nuqqas serju ta' reklutaġġ ta' żgħażagħ f'xi nħawi kostali,

G. billi ċerti nħawi kostali jiddependu ħafna mis-sajd u mill-industriji relatati, partikolarment gżejjer u nħawi kostali remoti,

H billi parti kbira tas-settur ta' l-ipproċessar fir-reġjuni l-aktar remoti għandha l-kompettività u l-vijabilità ekonomika tagħha żgurata minħabba l-appoġġ mill-Komunità,

I billi hemm nuqqas serju ta' informazzjoni ta' statistika akkurata dwar is-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta f'ħafna Stati Membri, li ma jippermettix analiżi u paraguni serji tas-settur,

J. billi jeħtieġ approċċ ġdid tal-Komunità b'tendenza lejn l-armonizzazzjoni u li jevita trattament divrenzjali bejn sajjieda minn Stati membri differenti minħabba l-politika nazzjonali diversa dwar sajd qrib il-kosta,

K. billi meta wieħed iqis l-irwol kruċjali potenzjali ta' l-organizzazzjonijiet rappreżentattivi tas-settur u ta' l-awtoritajiet lokali fl-iżvilupp tiegħu fuq livell lokali, jinħtieġu proġetti u azzjonijiet żviluppati minn dawn ta' hawn fuq b'appoġġ għas-sajd qrib il-kosta, b'mod partikolari għas-sajd fuq skala żgħira u dak tradizzjonali, li jiġi mħeġġeg u appoġġat f'livell Komunitarju,

L. billi huwa importanti li s-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta jipparteċipaw fil-proċess kummerċjali, filwaqt li jittejbu l-mekkaniżmi tal-bejgħ tal-prodotti tagħhom u li titħeġġeġ reviżjoni tal-COM dwar il-prodotti tas-sajd biex jiġu assigurati prezzijiet inizjali aktar xierqa u tiġi promossa distribuzzjoni aħjar tal-valur miżjud matul il-katina tal-valuri,

M. billi huwa vitali li tiġi assigurata l-parteċipazzjoni tas-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta u l-organizzazzjonijiet li jirrappreżentawhom fil-proċess tat-teħid ta' deċizjonijiet dwar il-politika komuni għas-sajd, il-protezzjoni ta' l-ambjent tal-baħar u l-irkupru ta' l-istokks tal-ħut billi tiġi mħeġġa l-applikazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta' l-immaniġġjar konġunt u d-deċentralizzazzjoni tal-CFP,

N. wara li kkunsidra n-nuqqas ta' sigurtà li taffettwa d-dħul u l-pagi f'dan is-settur, li jirriżulta mill-prattika tal-bejgħ tiegħu u mill-metodi ta' kif jinħadem il-prezz għall-bejgħ inizjali u min-natura irregolari tal-attività,

O. billi s-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta huwa affettwat ukoll miż-żieda fl-ispejjeż varjabbli, flimkien ma' l-instabilità tal-prezz taż-żejt,

P. billi qed tiżdied it-tensjoni u l-kompetizzjoni għar-riżorsi bejn is-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta, li jistadu għall-għajxien, u s-sajd rikreattiv, u billi din hija problema li jeħtieġ tiġi indirizzata,

Q. billi huwa neċessarju li jiġi assigurat li t-teknika ta' sajd qrib il-kosta tikkontribwixxi wkoll għal protezzjoni mtejba ta' l-ambjent u għal żvilupp sostenibbli tas-settur tas-sajd,

R. wara li kkonsidra l-bżonn li jinkoraġġixxi taħriġ professjonali għas-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta,

1.  Jenfasizza li s-sajd qrib il-kosta jagħti kontribuzzjoni vitali mhux biss għall-ekonomiji lokali iżda wkoll għaż-żamma ta' l-istruttura soċjali tal-komunitajiet kostali, peress li jikkontribwixxi għal aktar impjiegi skond l-ammont ta' ħut li jinqabad minn taqsimiet oħra tal-flotot, partikularment fi gżejjer jew fi nħawi kostali remoti;

2.  Jemmen li l-attività tas-sajd qrib il-kosta hija essenzjali għall-preservazzjoni tat-tradizzjonijiet u l-prattiki kulturali, billi tassigura mhux biss il-protezzjoni tad-diversità kulturali fir-reġjuni kkonċernati iżda wkoll realment l-istess sopravivenza tal-komunitajiet kostali kollha; jemmen barra minn hekk li dawn it-tradizzjonijiet u prattiċi għandhom jiġu ppreservati;

3.  Jirrikonoxxi li s-sajd qrib il-kosta jista' u għandu jkollu rwol kostruttiv għall-protezzjoni u l-konservazzjoni ta' l-ambjent kostali tal-baħar;

4.  Jirrealizza, iżda, li jekk il-kapaċità tal-flotot qrib il-kosta tkun kbira ħafna, jistgħu wkoll jikkontribwixxu għat-tnaqqis tar-riżorsi;

5.  Hu tal-fehma li, bħala parti mill-politika reġjonali, l-Istati Membri għandhom japplikaw mekkaniżmi komuni biex jipproteġu s-sajd qrib il-kosta, bil-ħsieb li tkun assigurata l-kapaċità tiegħu li jissopravvivi, u għandu jagħmel l-ilħuq ta' l-objettivi u l-implimentazzjoni ta' dispożizzjonijiet speċifiċi dipendenti fuq il-kundizzjonijiet naturali f'zoni qrib il-kosta u fuq il-protezzjoni tar-riżorsi; zoni qrib il-kosta huma nħawi fejn jitrabbew ħafna speċi ta' ħut, fost l-oħrajn ħut industrijali, bajd tal-ħut u fejn jitrabba ħut żgħir;

6.  Jemmen, iżda, li hemm il-ħtieġa li r-riċerka fuq l-irwol u l-impatt tas-sajd qrib il-kosta tissokta, bil-ħsieb li jiġi assigurat li, bħal fil-każ ta' l-attivitajiet kollha tas-sajd, dan jinżamm fuq livell sostenibbli;

7.  Jikkonsidra li hemm bżonn ta' riċerka speċifika dwar il-kwistjoni tal-protezzjoni tas-sajd sa tliet mili nawtiċi 'l bogħod mill-kosta minn bastimenti li mhumiex itwal minn 12-il metru, b'tagħmir mhux ingranat;

8.  Jipproponi li jiġi eliminat l-użu ta' tagħmir għas-sajd li jipperikola s-sostenibilità ta' l-istokks qrib il-kosta u l-vijabilità ta' l-istruttura soċjali relatata mas-settur tas-sajd;

9.  Jirrikonoxxi d-diffikultajiet biex tiġi stabbilita definizzjoni komuni fuq livell ta' l-UE ta' sajd qrib il-kosta, u għaldaqstant jemmen li hemm bżonn urġenti li dawk involuti jistabbilixxu kriterji minimi, li jkunu aċċettabbli għal kulħadd u li jistabbilixxu l-bilanċ neċessarju bejn attivitajiet ta' sajd qrib il-kosta, sajd 'il barra mill-kosta u dak rikreattiv;

10. Jemmen li l-kriterji minimi għandhom jikkunsidraw, inter alia, aspetti bħal dawn li ġejjin:

     (a) sajd fuq skala żgħira qrib il-kosta;

     (b) it-tul tal-bastimenti;

     (c) id-distanza mill-port lokali li fiha l-bastimenti joperaw, filwaqt li jitqiesu l-kundizzjonijiet differenti ġeografiċi u marittimi fl-Istati Membri;

     (d) tul ta' żmien massimu li fih il-bastiment ikun barra mill-port tagħhom;

     (e) bastimenti li jirriturnaw fil-port kuljum u jbigħu s-sajda friska tagħhom;

11. Jemmen li approċċ armonizzat għall-ġabra ta' dejta dwar sajd qrib il-kosta huwa essenzjali biex tiġi pprovduta dejta akkurata dwar attivitajiet ta' sajd qrib il-kosta - prerekwiżit biex tiġi stabbilita definizzjoni komuni;

12. Jistieden il-Kummissjoni, b'urġenza, li tagħmel proposti fuq kif id-dejta dwar sajd qrib il-kosta fl-Unjoni Ewropea tiġi armonizzata, filwaqt li jitħarsu l-karatteristiċi tas-sajd individwali, nazzjonali u reġjonali;

13. Jenfasizza li hemm bżonn urgenti li l-bosta problemi tas-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta jiġu indirizzati, l-aktar fl-oqsma tat-tmexxija, titjib strutturali, żvilupp, edukazzjoni u taħriġ;

14. Jemmen li huwa essenzjali għas-sajjieda qrib il-kosta u għall-komunitajiet li jiddependu minnhom li jkunu aktar direttament involuti fl-ipproċessar u l-kummerċ biex isaħħu l-bażi tal-profit tagħhom u jtejbu l-istandard ta'l-għajxien;

15. Jipproponi li l-ipproċessar ta' prodotti tal ħut fir-reġjuni l-aktar remoti, b'mod partikolari għajnuna għaż-żejt taż-żebbuġa użat meta t-tonn jitqiegħed fil-laned, ikompli jingħata appoġġ f'dan is-settur;

16. Jitlob lill Kummissjoni biex tirrikonoxxi n-natura speċifika tas-sajd qrib il-kosta u dak tradizzjonali fis-CFP, u biex tiddetermina kemm l-istrumenti eżistenti huma adatti biex jagħmlu tajjeb għall-bżonnijiet tas-settur u jadattawhom skond il-bżonn;

17. Jirrikonoxxi fil-leġiżlazzjoni kurrenti ta' l-UE l-eżistenza ta' ċerti dispożizzjonijiet li jittrattaw speċifikatament l-immaniġġjar u t-titjib strutturali tas-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta;

18. Jemmen li l-EFP l-ġdid għandu jkompli jiffinanzja l-miżuri għat-tiġdid tal-flotta għas-sajd qrib il-kosta, speċjalment biex jittejbu l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol fuq il-bastimenti, kif ukoll biex jiġu pprovduti l-miżuri ekonomiċi u soċjali neċessarji;

19. Jitlob il-Kummissjoni biex tiffinanzja l-immodernizzar tal-bastimenti għas-sajd qrib il-kosta;

20. Għaldaqstant jitlob lill-Kummissjoni biex tikkunsidra inizjattiva ġdida tal-Komunità għal dan is-settur importanti ta' attività;

21. Jitlob ukoll lill-Kummissjoni, f'dan il-kuntest, biex tassigura li finanzi speċifiċi u xierqa jkunu disponibbli, għall-implimentazzjoni xierqa ta' kull politika ġdida;

22. Jenfasizza li l-pjani għall-immaniġġjar kostali (CMPs), fejn ġew stabbiliti f'xi Stati Membri, kellhom effett pożittiv fuq is-setttur, u għaldaqstant jemmen li s-CMPs għandhom jikkostitwixxu element importanti ta' kull inizjattiva ġdida ta' l-UE;

23. Jirrimarka li, preżentement, taħriġ vokazzjonali indirizzat għal dan is-settur fl-Istati Membri jew huwa totalment inadegwat jew ma jeżistix;

24. Jirreferi għal bżonn li jiġi stabbilit immedjatament programm ta' taħriġ li jkopri s-sikurezza fuq ix-xogħol fl-industrija tas-sajd, protezzjoni ta' l-ambjent tal-baħar, protezzjoni tar-riżorsi, protezzjoni tal-baħar u taz-zoni qrib il-kosta, qbid, kwalità u bejgħ u mmaniġġjar tas-settur ta' l-ipproċessar tal-ħut;

25. Jafferma li taħriġ u tagħlim speċifiku xieraq huma essenzjali jekk irridu ninkuraġġixxu liż-żgħażaġħ fir-reġjuni kostali tagħna li jżommu ħajja l-attivitajiet u t-tradizzjonijiet tas-sajd kostali;

26. Għaldaqstant jitlob lill-Kummissjoni li tressaq programmi speċifiċi ta' tagħlim u taħriġ għas-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta, l-aktar bl-iskop li tinkoraġġixxi d-dħul ta' professjonisti żgħażagħ fis-settur, u li tipprovdi fondi xierqa biex tassigura l-implimentazzjoni sħiħa u s-suċċess ta' dawk il-programmi;

27. Jitlob ukoll, f'dan il-kuntest, li tingħata l-pubbliċità neċessarja lill-azzjoni li tittieħed, biex jiġi assgurat li l-informazzjoni sħiħa dwar opportunitajiet ta' taħriġ tkun disponibbli fil-pront għall-partijiet interessati kollha;

28. Jemmen li kull leġislazzjoni ġdida dwar sajd qrib il-kosta għandha tagħti attenzjoni speċjali għall-bżonn li tiġi stabbilita u li tinżamm kultura ta' sikurezza fejn is-sikurezza tingħata l-ogħla prijorità, u li tassigura li r-regoli ta' sikurezza adatti għas-settur ta' qrib il-kosta jiġu implimentati sewwa; jinsisti li din il-kultura ta' sikurezza għandha tibda billi tassigura flotta aktar sikura u moderna bil-kapaċità li jkollha wkoll tagħmir u materjal ġdid ta' sikurezza, għal dan l-iskop hu neċessarju li l-għoti tal-għajnuna tissokta għat-tiġdid u l-immodernizzar tal-flotta skond il-Fond għas-Sajd Ewropew futur, kif diġà approvat mill-parlament;

29. Jirrikonoxxi li n-nisa għandhom irwol importanti fis-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta, l-aktar fl-oqsma tat-tmexxija, fil-bejgħ u l-kummerċ, fl-akwakultura, fl-ipproċessar u fir-riċerka;

30. Jemmen li netwerks tan-nisa jistgħu jagħtu kontribuzzjoni importanti lill-iżvilupp soċjoekonomiku tal-komunitajiet li jiddependu mis-sajd, u l-aktar komunitajiet qrib il-kosta;

31. Jitlob lill-Kummissjoni u lill-Istati Membri li jiġbru tagħrif sistematiku dwar id-dimensjoni tas-sessi u l-ugwaljanza tas-sessi meta jittrattaw is-sitwazzjonijiet u l-problemi kollha konnessi mas-sajd ta' qrib il-kosta u l-proġetti pilota ffinanzjati mis-CFP u l-fondi strutturali, peress li dan it-tip ta' sajd huwa karatterizzat bi struttura ekonomika li prinċipalment hija bbażata fuq negozji żgħar tal-familja, fejn in-nisa għandhom irwol fundamentali li għandu jkun rrikonoxxut legalment u soċjalment;

32. Hu tal-fehma li l-bidliet li qed iseħħu fil-komunitajiet li jiddependu mis-sajd ta' ħdejn il-kosta jaffettwaw lin-nisa kemm direttament u kemm indirettament u għalhekk jitlob lill-Kummissjoni li tappoġġa proġetti speċifiċi li għandhom bħala objettiv tagħhom ir-rikonoxximent, il-promozzjoni u d-diversifikazzjoni ta' l-irwol tan-nisa fl-inħawi relatati mas-sajd u li jadotta soluzzjonijiet relatati mad-diversifikazzjoni ta' attivitajiet u ma' l-irristrutturar ta' dawk il-komunitajiet, li mhux biss igawdu l-appoġġ tal- gvernijiet lokali, regjonali u nazzjonali u ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea iżda li jibbenefikaw ukoll mill-parteċipazzjoni ugwali ta' l-irġiel u n-nisa;

33. Iħeġġeġ lill-Kummissjoni l-ewwel biex tiġbor u tanalizza dejta divrenzjata skond is-sess dwar sajd qrib il-kosta u t-tieni biex tidentifika u tipproponi soluzzjonijiet għall-problemi speċifiċi li qed jiffaċċjaw in-nisa fil-komunitajiet tas-sajd qrib il-kosta, b'koperazzjoni ma' l-Istitut Ewropew għall-Egwaljanza tas-Sessi tal-futur;

34. Jinnota li s-saħħa tan-nisa involuti direttament fis-sajd qrib il-kosta tista' ssofri minħabba kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol spiss diffiċli, iżda li fil-maġġjoranza tal-każi peress li m'għandhomx stat legali tax-xogħol ma jgawdux kundizzjonijiet ugwali ta' aċċess għas-sistema tas-saħħa; għalhekk jitlob lill-Kummissjoni u lill-Istati Membri biex jipprovdu soluzzjoni malajr għal din il-problema billi jadottaw il-miżuri neċessarji li jiggarantixxu dawk id-drittijiet ekonomiċi u soċjali tan-nisa, u mod partikolari d-dritt ta' aċċess tagħhom għas-sigurtà soċjali u għas-servizzi tas-saħħa, flimkien ma' miżuri mmirati lejn it-titjib tas-sikurezza tagħhom u l-protezzjoni ta' saħħithom fl-ambjent tax-xogħol;

35. Jemmen bħala pinċipju li sajjieda qrib il-kosta, proċessuri fuq skala żgħira u entitajiet oħra kostali direttament involuti f'attivitajiet ta' sajd qrib il-kosta jew affettwati minnu għandhom ikunu involuti fit-tmexxija tas-settur;

36. Jitlob lill-Kummissjoni biex tikkonsulta ruħha mas-settur tas-sajd qrib il-kosta u biex tassikura ruħha mill-involviment attiv ta' dak is-settur fil-livell politiku xieraq fil-proċess tat-teħid ta' deċiżjonijiet, li jaffettwawhom direttament;

37. Jemmen li l-Kunsilli Konsultattivi Regjonali għandhom irwol essenzjali f'dan il-kuntest,

38. Jistieden lill-Kummissjoni biex tirrapporta lura lill-Parlament Ewropew dwar kull inizjattiva li tinvolvi trattament speċifiku għas-sajd qrib il-kosta;

39. Jagħti istruzzjonijiet lill-President tiegħu biex iressaq din ir-riżoluzzjoni lill-Kunsill, lill-Kummissjoni u lill-gvernijiet ta' l-Istati Membri.

  • [1]  ĠU L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 17. Regolament kif l-aħħar emendat bir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 485/2005 (ĠU L 81, 30.3.2005, p.1).
  • [2]  ĠU C 21 E, 24.1.2002, p. 359.
  • [3]  ĠU L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.
  • [4]  ĠU L 260, 6.8.2004, p. 1.
  • [5]  Testi Adottati, P6_TA(2005)0532.

NOTA SPJEGATTIVA

1.        daħla

Inshore fisheries are of vital importance for the socio-economic survival of entire coastal economies. Potentially they have an essential role to play within the Community Fisheries Policy - which is currently not the case. Not least they play a highly significant role in the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in Community coastal waters.

The inshore fisheries sector is lacking a specific regulatory framework. Consequently this important sector finds itself totally excluded from current community fisheries legislation. This situation gives rise to an unfavourable environment for the inshore fishery industry and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

At the request of the rapporteur and the Fisheries Committee the European Parliament commissioned a study on the sector under discussion. This study entitled "Inshore Fisheries and the Problems Encountered by Inshore Fishermen" was produced by Centro Tecnolólogico del Mar - Fundación Cetmar. It was presented to the Committee on the occasion of a public hearing which was held in Brussels on 24 November 2005. Additional presentations were made by eminent specialists from a number of Member States.

Based on the conclusions of the above study, the different presentations by the experts, the invaluable contributions from MEPS and the conclusions to the discussions, your rapporteur will focus at the current situation of inshore fisheries in the EU.

He will strive to identify the inherent weaknesses of the sector and propose a number of possible solutions that could significantly strengthen the sector, and contribute not only to the development of local economies but also to maintaining the social fabric of coastal communities

2.        THE DEFINITION OF INSHORE FISHERIES

European Community legislation refers to small inshore fishing as a fishing activity engaged in by vessels of under 12 metres length not using trawling gear.

"For the purposes of this Article 'small-scale coastal fishing' means fishing carried on by vessels of an overall length of less than 12 metres, not using the trawling gear mentioned in Table 2 of Annex 1 to Commission Regulation 2090/98 of 30 September 1998 concerning the fishing vessel register of the Community."[1]

However in practice each Member State uses its own definition. A wide range of terms are currently used to define the sector including, artisanal fishing, small scale fishing and coastal fishing. Each of these terms is subject to different interpretations in Member States. They vary according to national legislation, cultural traditions, the type of fisheries involved and the structure of nation fleets. Only two Member States have legal definitions.

Inshore fisheries can be engaged in by different types of boat - from very small vessels that only fish close to the shore to larger vessels that can fish much further offshore. The most common and frequent criteria used are vessel length, area of activity and type of fishing gear. The values assigned to each parameter vary from country to country, and even from region to region; moreover, parameters are often not clearly defined.

The Community needs to have a co-ordinated approach towards inshore fisheries. Because of the clearly heterogeneous context within which this industry is perceived in each Member State, your rapporteur believes that harmonisation of the concept and definition of small inshore fishing can only be achieved by means of an EU legislative approach.

However your rapporteur also believes that the EU must adopt a realistic approach by allowing for a nuanced definition between Member States. There must be provision in any future regulation to allow some national adjustments.

Criteria to be used in any common definition could include:

a) Fisheries which are artisanal

b) Vessels which return to port each day

c) Vessels which operate within less than 20 km from the home port.

3.        THE LEGISLATION AFFECTING INSHORE FISHERIES

        Application of Community law

One of the fundamental underlying difficulties in regulating inshore fisheries is the total absence of integration between EC regulations and national legislation. Almost all EC regulations are aimed at offshore fishing.

Ironically EC regulations often refer to the precarious economic situation of the fisheries sector and to the dependence on fishing of various coastal populations. However it is precisely those coastal communities that most depend on inshore fishing, but this is not reflected in EC law.

                    Inshore fisheries and the Common Fisheries Policy

Since there is nothing concrete in existing Community legislation that directly links inshore fishing to a given geographic or maritime space, this type of fishing is simply deemed to co-exist with other more larger and powerful commercial boats.

Along with Commission Regulation 2090/98 of 30 September 1998 concerning the fishing vessel register of the Community, one of the few references that gives a clue that small inshore vessels can operate in coastal waters under Member State management is Article 9 of Regulation 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy:

"Member State measures within the 12 nautical mile zone

1. A Member State may take non-discriminatory measures for the conservation and management of fisheries resources and to minimise the effect of fishing on the conservation of marine eco-systems within 12 nautical miles of its baselines provided that the Community has not adopted measures addressing conservation and management specifically for this area. The Member State measures shall be compatible with the objectives set out in Article 2 and no less stringent than existing Community legislation."

        Other aspects of Regulation 2371/2002

The Regulation excludes vessels under 15 metres length from the obligation to install a remote detection and identification mechanism. This is a distinctive feature of inshore fishing that sets it apart from industrial and high-seas fishing. This aspect however is not specified in the Regulation.

In Article 31 on Regional Advisory Councils there is no mention of the specific nature of inshore fishing. It only deals with 'marine zones or fishing zones' and aquaculture, but not with types of fishing activity.

        Regulation 1421/2004

Regulation 1421/2004[2] states that 'the protection and development of aquatic resources do not exclusively concern measures taken at sea', but, far from mentioning protection of coastal resources through inshore fishing, the Regulation makes no specific reference to inshore fishing in this connection.

4.        MANAGING INSHORE FISHERIES

During the Hearing some speakers described the inshore fisheries sector as "an amalgam of many small businesses". Other speakers said that the lack of associative or cooperative structures among inshore fishing operators "creates a disjointed sub-sector of the fishing industry."

In some areas there is increasing fishing effort by individual operators. In other areas where the number of operators is declining there are efforts to amalgamate into larger more efficient units. There is also an increasing specialisation on individual species, i.e. the sector is less pluri-specific than it has been in the past.

There are few management bodies specific to inshore fisheries. The sector is also seen as being absent or totally under-represented when Community, domestic and regional fisheries policy decision are being taken. Given the restrictions on access to the 12-mile zone, it is the coastal Member States who have sole authority to manage inshore fisheries within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy. Every country or region has therefore endeavoured to develop its own management structures. In spite of this the inshore sector still faces the serious problem of under-representation in most instances.

Recent developments of co-operative management in some Member States have had positive effects on the sector, a situation that was also highlighted during the Hearing, and which have created a suitable forum for discussions of the trends and issues of concern to the sector.

In the words of one invited speaker at the Hearing "It is now crucial to move from divergence to consensus and isolationism to inclusiveness so that inshore fishermen move forward together with a shared vision. Co-operation, as far as possible, should be based on a voluntary partnership. Connecting local fishermen and their representative organisation is a key priority for the future. Effective fisheries management can deliver sustainable and viable fisheries and maximise the economic and social benefits."

4.        SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

The markedly traditional inshore fishery sector where the employment structure used to be based on the local community and family ties is undergoing worrying changes.

A consequence of the aging fishing communities is a growing difficulty to modernise fisheries and introduce new, enhanced technologies. As a consequence inshore fisheries today are loosing attraction for young people. Regrettably the level of education in fishing communities in both academic and occupational terms is generally low. Occupational training in the sector is informal and traditional without specific courses or training schemes.

The lack of adequate and appropriate educational programmes is a serious hindrance to the development of the sector. It seriously limits the flow of appropriate information to authorities and management bodies. In most cases it restricts involvement of this sector in the definition of management measures that affect them. It hinders the fishermen's' ability to avail of and benefit from the latest and best techniques.

During the Hearing there was unanimous agreement that education and training were vital if there was to be necessary development of this important sector.

        Living standards and social conditions

There is a high dependency on inshore fisheries in coastal areas where fishing communities exist. Regrettably however the sector is generally associated with low income for both master and crew. In a majority of cases it means unstable employment and hard working conditions.

It also means high labour-related risk and low social status. The sector is also characterised by part time work. In order to provide for their families and also to help preserve and maintain their fishing activity fishermen are regularly obliged to supplement their income with miscellaneous part time work.

It is extremely difficult for fishermen in the inshore sector to obtain financial loans and assistance. Financial institutions regard inshore fisheries as high risk. The issues outlined above are some examples of what makes it difficult for the sector to get access to finance.

        Women and inshore fisheries

It is evident that the role of women in European fisheries is marked by the strongly traditional nature of the sector and many of their activities are undertaken on a voluntary basis. The Parliament has previously recognised with its motion for an EU resolution on Women's networks[3], that women in fisheries sector are active not only in processing, harvesting and aquaculture but also in marketing, research, journalism, management, training and representation in both the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Women play a major role in the processing industry, and in some regions women account for over 50 % of the employees. Women can make a major contribution to the socio-economic development of fisheries dependent communities and it is now urgent to take advantage of these opportunities. To focus on integrating women in decision-making bodies or association can be a first step forward.

        Economic aspects

Clear conclusions from the Hearing were that the logistics of accessing markets are difficult because of a) limited availability of onshore holding facilities b) remoteness from the market, c) product shelf life, and d) limited marketing and business experience of small operators.

These conclusions are shared by your rapporteur who believes that a significant fragmentation of unloading points for catches seriously complicates the implementation of controls, transport and marketing. The fishermen's positions regarding the sale price of the product is weakened since they lack negotiating power.

The absence of a co-operative type marketing structure results in significant financial loss to the fishermen. The price to consumers of the produce of inshore fishing is excessive in many cases, notably because of the high number of intermediate operators in the marketing of the produce. None of the price increase achieved ever reaches the producer / fisherman.

        Competition for resources and labour

The existence of different types of fisheries which are competing in the same physical space of the same coastal areas for the same fish and crustaceans cannot be ignored.

There is competition between fishermen working with the same type of fishing gear. There is the competition between fishermen using different types of fishing gear, for example between coastal trawlers and much smaller vessels.

Another serious aspect that must be considered is competition from emerging activities like recreational fishing. In the absence of any formal framework recreational fishing does raise tensions and does create animosity towards commercial uses. Unless this question is tackled seriously and solutions found, it is highly likely that we will witness further conflicts between the fishing community and other inshore users.

Your rapporteur believes that in order to avoid competition for resources the use of the sea spaces should be regulated by assigning exploitation and access rights, for example through restricting the development of certain activities and making licences compulsory.

        Safety aspects

Inshore fisheries are presently carried on by small-scale vessels mostly operating near the coast. A range of measures should also be introduced, aiming at enhancing safety on board these vessels, given that many craft under 12 metres length are old or obsolete.

Bearing in mind the significant differences between high seas and small scale fishing fleets in relation to safety, it is still important to regulate the safety of small boats. This concept clearly outlined in the Miguelez report on: Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents[4] was adopted in the Committee on Fisheries and the plenary.

6.        CONCLUSIONS

The future development of the inshore fisheries sector is dependant on the existence of appropriate representative bodies. It is dependent on the creation of appropriate management structures. It is also dependent on social changes and on economic aspects that influence operating costs and create demand for the produce. Most importantly it is dependant on the adoption of appropriate EU legislation specifically designed for the sector.

Your rapporteur would like to stress the need:

-          To acknowledge the social and economic significance of the sector.

-          To improve the living standards of the people dependant on inshore fisheries

-          To implement adequate vocational training systems geared towards concerned groups of the inshore fisheries population, not least the development of marketing skills

-          To attract young people to the sector in order to ensure its continuity

-          To encourage the integration of women in the inshore sector

-          To develop and modernise the inshore fishery sector.

-          To develop new ways of commercialization and fully integrate coastal fishermen with the marketing process.

-         To enhance co-operation and communication channels between organisations and stakeholders concerned.

-          To integrate national politics on inshore fisheries with Community policies.

-          To devise measures to minimize the effects of the increase of variable costs that result from the high instability of fuel prices.

-          To regulate the safety onboard small vessels engaged in inshore fisheries.

-          To adopt a new Community initiative for this important sector of activity, accompanied by appropriate draft legislation

  • [1]  Article 11, Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector.
  • [2]  Regulation 1421/2004 of 19 July 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector
  • [3]  European Parliament Resolution A6-0341/2005 of 30 November 2005 on Women's networks : fishing, farming and diversification
  • [4]  European Parliament Resolution A5-0087/2001 of 12 March 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents

OPINJONI tal-Kumitat għad-Drittijiet tan-Nisa u għall-Ugwaljanza bejn is-Sessi (25.1.2006)

għall-Kumitat għas-Sajd

on inshore fishing and the problems encountered by inshore fishermen

'Rapporteur' għal opinjoni: Teresa Riera Madurell

SUĠĠERIMENTI

The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:

1.   Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take systematic account of the gender dimension and gender equality when dealing with any of the situations and problems linked to inshore fishing and in pilot projects financed by the CFP and the structural funds, since this type of fishing is characterised by an economic structure which is chiefly based on small family firms, where women play a fundamental role which should receive legal and social recognition;

2.   Takes the view that the changes which are occurring in communities which depend on inshore fishing affect women both directly and indirectly and therefore calls on the Commission to lend its support to specific projects which have as their objective the recognition, promotion and diversification of women's role in fisheries-related areas and to adopt solutions, with a view to the diversification of activities and the restructuring of such communities, that not only enjoy the support of local, regional and national governments and the European Union but also benefit from equal participation of men and women;

3.   Urges the Commission firstly to gather and analyse gender-differentiated data on inshore fishing and secondly to identify and propose solutions to the specific problems facing women in inshore-fishing communities, in cooperation with the future European Institute for Gender Equality;

4.   Notes that the health of women directly involved in inshore fishing may be affected by often difficult working conditions, but that in the majority of cases their lack of a legal work status means that they do not enjoy equal conditions of access to the health system; calls, therefore, for the Commission and the Member States to provide a rapid solution to this problem by adopting the necessary measures to guarantee these women's economic and social rights, and in particular their right of access to social security and health services, together with measures aimed at improving their safety and preserving their health in the working environment;

5.   Takes the view that, because women are participating fully in the process of diversification of the economy in communities which depend on inshore fishing, particularly in island or remote regions, as well as helping to maintain cultural traditions and practices specific to fishing communities, as long as it does not lead to gender discrimination, their work needs to be given both legal and social recognition and should be promoted and its value enhanced so as to permit women's full participation and career progress in the fishing industry, especially by making it easier to reconcile working life and family life and improving their access to loans and training without any discrimination;

6.   Calls on the Commission to extend the scope of Directive 86/613/EEC on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity, including agriculture, in a self-employed capacity, and on the protection of self-employed women during pregnancy and motherhood[1], so that it also covers women's activities in the fishing industry;

7.   Calls on the Commission and the Member States to guarantee women's full participation in decision-making, representative and advisory bodies in inshore-fishing communities at European, national and regional level;

8.   Calls on the Commission to deal with the problem of the continued ageing of the population in fishing communities by adopting measures aimed at encouraging the participation of young people, both men and women, in the fishing industry in order to ensure its continuity.

PROĊEDURA

Titolu

Sajd qrib il-kosta u l-problemi li ltaqgħu magħhom is-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta

Numru tal-proċedura

 

Kumitat responsabbli

PECH

Opinjoni minn
  Data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja

FEMM
13.1.2005

Koperazzjoni aktar mill-qrib - data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja

 

Rapporteur(s)
  Data tal-ħatra

Teresa Riera Madurell
25.1.2005

Rapporteur(s) preċedenti

 

Diskussjoni fil-kumitat

5.10.2005

23.1.2006

0.0.0000

 

 

Data ta' l-adozzjoni

24.1.2006

Riżultat tal-votazzjoni finali

+:

–:

0:

22

0

0

Membri preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

Edit Bauer, Věra Flasarová, Claire Gibault, Lissy Gröner, Zita Gurmai, Piia-Noora Kauppi, Urszula Krupa, Pia Elda Locatelli, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Teresa Riera Madurell, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Amalia Sartori, Corien Wortmann-Kool, Anna Záborská

Sostitut(i) preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

Anna Hedh, Mary Honeyball, Christa Klaß, Maria Martens, Zita Pleštinská, Zuzana Roithová, Heide Rühle, Bernadette Vergnaud

Sostitut(i) skond l-Artikolu 178(2) preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

 

Kummenti (informazzjoni disponibbli b'lingwa waħda biss)

 

  • [1]  OJ L 359, 19.12.1986, p. 56.

PROĊEDURA

Titolu

Sajd qrib il-kosta u l-problemi li ltaqgħu magħhom is-sajjieda ta' qrib il-kosta

Numru tal-proċedura

2004/2264(INI)

Kumitat responsabbli
  Data tat-tħabbir ta' l-awtorizzazzjoni fis-seduta plenarja

PECH
13.1.2005

Kumitat(i) mitlub(a) jagħtu opinjoni
  Data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja

FEMM
13.1.2005

 

 

 

 

Opinjoni(jiet) mhux mogħtija
  Data tad-deċiżjoni


 

 

 

 

Koperazzjoni iktar mill-qrib
  Data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja

 

 

 

 

 

Rapporteur(s)
  Data tal-ħatra

Seán Ó Neachtain
25.11.2004

 

Rapporteur(s) preċedenti

 

 

Diskussjoni fil-kumitat

23.11.2005

29.11.2005

20.3.2006

 

 

Data ta' l-adozzjoni

19.4.2006

Riżultat tal-votazzjoni finali

+

-

0

24

0

5

Membri preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

James Hugh Allister, Stavros Arnaoutakis, Elspeth Attwooll, Marie-Hélène Aubert, Iles Braghetto, Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos, David Casa, Paulo Casaca, Zdzisław Kazimierz Chmielewski, Carmen Fraga Estévez, Ioannis Gklavakis, Alfred Gomolka, Pedro Guerreiro, Ian Hudghton, Heinz Kindermann, Henrik Dam Kristensen, Albert Jan Maat, Willy Meyer Pleite, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, Philippe Morillon, Seán Ó Neachtain, Bernard Poignant, Struan Stevenson, Margie Sudre

Sostitut(i) preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

Simon Coveney, Chris Davies

Sostitut(i) skond l-Artikolu 178(2) preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali

Carlos Carnero González, Salvador Garriga Polledo, Eugenijus Gentvilas, Antonio Masip Hidalgo

Data tat-tressiq

26.4.2006

Kummenti
(informazzjoni disponibbli b'lingwa waħda biss)