MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
25.1.2006
pursuant to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Marie-Hélène Aubert
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on the adoption of management measures for Mediterranean fishery resources
B6‑0076/2006
European Parliament resolution on the adoption of management measures for Mediterranean fishery resources
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Commission proposal COM(2003) 0589,
– having regard to the draft report by the Committee on Fisheries (A6-0112/2005), adopted on 9 June 2005,
– having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the only regulation under the Common Fisheries Policy that is currently applicable to the Mediterranean Sea, adopted in 1994, contains only minimal management measures, which have proved insufficient to conserve marine biodiversity in the region and guarantee a viable future for the fishing communities that are dependent upon these resources,
B. recognising the urgent need to adopt a more comprehensive regulation that is appropriate to the current situation, so that Mediterranean fisheries are subject to the same level of management and protection as other regions of the European Union,
1. Expresses its serious concern at the failure so far of the Council to adopt a new regulation and thus introduce a responsible framework for fisheries management in the Mediterranean;
2. Considers that the apparent inability of Council to act is resulting in a failure of the EU to live up to its international obligations, including those deriving from recent decisions and resolutions of ICCAT and the GFCM;
3. Is deeply concerned that continuing delays could result in further weakening of the text proposed by the Commission and Parliament, in particular with respect to protection of the coastal zone and the use of indiscriminate gears for fishing pelagic species, and that these delays are allowing further deterioration in the status of many stocks;
4. Insists that fishermen affected by the new regulation who must convert to alternative fishing gears receive appropriate financial compensation;
5. Urges the Council rapidly to adopt a regulation to bring firm and appropriate management measures to the Mediterranean Sea, coherent with existing measures elsewhere in the EU;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the ICCAT and GFCM secretariats.