Transfer of vessels in Ancona
11.4.2017
Question for written answer E-002664-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Affronte (Verts/ALE)
In Italy, a third of all vessels that fish for clams (Chamelea gallina) are in waters off the region of Le Marche.
In that region, the sea area for clam fishing has been divided into three maritime zones: Pesaro, Ancona and San Benedetto. Under Italian legislation, clam fishing is carried out ‘on a zonal basis’ and vessels ‘are only authorised to fish in the zone to which they belong’.
Of the vessels in those maritime zones, 64 are moored in Pesaro, 74 in Ancona, and 81 in San Benedetto.
Following the addition of a fourth zone, currently being tested and not yet in force, the vessels are now being reorganised, and the distribution will now be 64 vessels in Pesaro, 99 vessels in Ancona and 54 vessels in San Benedetto. In practice, 25 vessels that belong to the San Benedetto zone, as registered on their fishing licence, actually fish in the Ancona zone. Thus, they are breaching Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and therefore increasing the impact on the resources in the zone and on the profitability of the companies themselves.
In light of the above:
- —Is the Commission able to intervene with regard to the breach of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009?
- —Does it have the authority to resolve this situation?