Posėdžio stenograma

Trečiadienis, 2006 m. birželio 14 d. - Strasbūras

14. Pakrantės žvejyba ir pakrantės žvejų patiriami sunkumai (diskusijos)

  Le Président. – L'ordre du jour appelle le rapport Seán Ó Neachtain, au nom de la commission de la pêche, sur la pêche côtière et les problèmes rencontrés par les pêcheurs côtiers [2004/2264(INI)] (A6-0141/2006).

  Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN), rapporteur. – Mr President, let me begin with cúpla focl, as we say in the Irish language – meaning ‘a few words’ – on the title of this report. Following the final vote in committee I was asked if I would be prepared to accept an amendment in plenary to modify the title of the report, which refers to ‘fishermen’, so as to implicitly recognise the important role played by women in that important sector. It will not come as any surprise to you that I fully support the Miguélez Ramos/Kindermann amendment, which is totally consistent with the contents of the report and simply introduces the notion of gender equality in the title.

Like you, I learned on Monday that this amendment was inadmissible. Like many of you I found that hard to believe. However, you will be pleased to know that this evening the Conference of Presidents has approved the change in the title of my report. From the outset, had I been allowed to draft this report in the Irish language, the problem would not have arisen because I would have used the word iascaire, which, unlike the English word ‘fisherman’, is gender-neutral and embraces all those involved in the sector.

There is an urgent need to comprehensively address the multiple problems in the inshore fishing sector in the European Union. This aspect of the fisheries sector is the poor relation that has been ignored for far too long. The subject matter is vast and varied. It concerns every single coastal Member State, in most instances in totally different ways. That is one area of the fisheries sector where there is the odd reference, here and there, among the plethora of EU legislation, but no Community rules and regulations that specifically cater for the sector. I believe that anomaly has to be corrected.

Inshore fishing essentially takes place in waters that come under exclusive national jurisdiction, and yet inshore fishermen, in many instances, are subjected to common fisheries policy regulations while reaping few of the benefits. Inshore fishing is about the economic and social fabric of our small coastal communities. It makes a vital contribution to local economies where, in many instances, there is precious little else in the way of work. Inshore fishery activities essentially maintain the social fabric of those communities. They are also essential for the preservation of cultural traditions and practices, which must be preserved. And yet that sector has been ignored for far too long.

The future development of the inshore fisheries sector is dependent on social change. It is dependent on the existence of appropriate representative bodies. It is dependent on creating demand for improved added value produce through appropriate marketing structures. It is dependent on resolving the economic aspects that influence operating costs. Most importantly, it is dependent on the adoption of appropriate EU programmes specifically designed to help the sector. The inshore fisheries sector is badly in need of development and modernisation. That includes boat modernisation, notably where safety on board is concerned.

We must devise measures to minimise the effects of the increase of variable costs that results from high fuel prices. If that means adapting boat engines so that they can run on a high percentage of alternative fuels such as bioethenol then we must take the necessary measures to adapt boat engines accordingly.

We must do all we can to attract young men and women to the sector in order to ensure its continuity. I fear that will be impossible if we do not implement adequate vocational training systems geared towards concerned groups of the inshore fisheries population, not least the development of marketing skills. I believe that we must develop new ways of commercialisation and fully integrate coastal fishermen into the marketing process. We must also enhance cooperation and communication channels between organisation and stakeholders concerned.

My report is not – as some lobbyists would believe – an attack on recreational fishing in any one Member State. It is about the specific social, economic and environmental problems of the entire small inshore fishing sector in all Member States of the European Union. It is about promoting sustainable fishing.

This report is a contribution to resolving problems in the inshore fishing sector, not to creating new ones. My approach is to try to find the appropriate solutions so that different economic interests are catered for in a mutually acceptable way. It would be incorrect for any interest group to read any other interpretation into the text.

Commissioner Borg, this report and this Parliament are calling on you to consider a new Community initiative for this important sector of activity. The men and women involved in the inshore fisheries sector are calling on you to consider a new Community approach. I believe that we have an obligation not to disappoint them. Knowing your personal commitment to fisheries, I know that you will not disappoint them.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Mr President, I wish to begin by expressing my thanks and gratitude to the rapporteur, Mr Ó Neachtain, who has presented an excellent report. I should also like to extend my thanks to the whole Committee on Fisheries for having taken up this important subject in the form of an own-initiative report.

It is clear that small-scale coastal fisheries are in many ways different from fishing activities conducted by larger boats. Many of these differences are highlighted in the report, and I should like to mention just a few.

Small vessels stay close to the coast and mostly conduct fishing trips of a single day. The businesses are small and mainly family-based, and in most cases only one person operates the vessel, with the maximum being not more than three. The catches are landed and also often marketed locally, thus making this segment more dependent on the local economy. This part of the fishing industry is fragmented and not equally represented in shipowners’ organisations. These vessels operate in coastal areas, which are often biologically fragile, and where there is a lot of competition with other users, such as other fishing vessels or recreational fisheries and tourists.

However, I should like to stress that not all of these differences are disadvantages. In fact, some of them are distinct advantages, such as the freshness of the landed fish. However, it is also true that coastal fisheries have handicaps, and I agree with most of your conclusions in this respect.

I absolutely agree that it is not an easy task to define coastal fisheries, but this is exactly why I would strongly recommend basing ourselves on the definition which is used in Community legislation: vessels of up to 12 metres not using towed gear. This definition was agreed almost ten years ago and is a good basis for further action. However, it does not mean that at national or local level additional criteria could not be used when defining the role of the different players in coastal fishing areas. On the contrary, coastal management actions and plans should include further criteria depending on the specific settings of the area and the fleets involved.

Let me now turn to your specific suggestions. Here, again, I agree with most of your proposals, and in particular the establishment by local fishermen of coastal management plans, the harmonisation of data on coastal fisheries, the improvement of training for men and women involved in this type of fishing, better coordination of all aspects affecting coastal areas and fishermen, the improvement of vessel safety and of the safety culture for those involved, the need to recognise the role of women and improve their legal work status and, last but not least, the better involvement of coastal fisheries in decision-making and representatives bodies, such as the RACs.

But this leads me to the question: who does what? I am deeply convinced that it is first and foremost the local fishing communities themselves who have to come together, get organised and propose actions and initiatives. Secondly, many of the aspects that were mentioned are under the responsibility of the Member States, for example education and vocational training, jurisdiction over coastal areas up to 12 nautical miles, and the control and enforcement of safety standards, etc.

However, I also agree with you that we have a role to play at European Union level. You, the European Parliament, have started with a study, the hearing of last November and this own-initiative report we are discussing today.

The Commission has already started work too, and I have proposed specific treatment under the European Fisheries Fund, which will hopefully be adopted next week. Among other possibilities of particular interest to coastal fishers: the proposed European fisheries fund reduces to 20% the private contribution for the modernisation of vessels for owners of smaller ships. It gives them more favourable treatment in the conditions for engine replacement and urges Member States to give ‘safety tonnage’, preferably to smaller vessels. I think that this is a package of better treatment for this segment, which will contribute to bringing about some of the improvements mentioned in your report.

In addition, there are several areas of the common fisheries policy where coastal fisheries are treated differently or exempted from obligations, such as the requirement to use a logbook, remote sensing and VMS requirements.

In relation to conservation, however, small-scale fisheries have to take full responsibility in the management of fish stocks, because coastal waters are often the place where fish spawn and grow in the early stages.

Before concluding, let me just mention that my services have recently commissioned an important study, which is under way at this very moment, and which will give us a new and up-to-date insight into several cases of small-scale fisheries located in different regions and seas of the Community.

The findings of this study are expected in the coming year and I am sure that they will help us to assess whether further action is needed and how to tailor it. I take up your suggestions and, building on your valuable work, will join forces with all the stakeholders, the Member States and, last but not least, all those who make a living from coastal fisheries in order to engage in concrete action to improve the situation and the conditions for this segment of the fishing fleet. Thank you for your attention.

  Teresa Riera Madurell (PSE), Ponente de opinión de la Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género. – Señor Presidente, efectivamente, hablo en nombre de la Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género y tengo que decir que el trabajo de las mujeres en todo el sector pesquero y, en particular, en la pesca de bajura, debería gozar de un mayor reconocimiento legal y social.

Aunque sólo un 3 % de las mujeres participa en la pesca extractiva, en las demás actividades relacionadas con la pesca son muchas las mujeres que llevan a cabo una intensa actividad.

Con una estructura económica construida principalmente sobre pequeñas empresas familiares, la mayoría de mujeres trabaja intensamente, pero sin derechos económicos ni sociales, ya que no goza de un estatus laboral suficientemente claro y, además, en unas condiciones de trabajo que, en muchos casos, son altamente perjudiciales para su salud.

Es, pues, urgente —y así lo decimos en el informe— que tanto la Comisión como los Estados miembros tomen las medidas necesarias para garantizar a todas estas mujeres sus derechos. También las mujeres que trabajan en este sector deberían tener acceso a financiación, a créditos y a formación profesional, en igualdad de condiciones con los hombres.

Es necesario también garantizar la participación de las mujeres en los órganos de decisión, de representación y de consulta de las comunidades dedicadas a la pesca de bajura. En un momento de reconversión del sector se están produciendo cambios importantes que afectan directa o indirectamente a las mujeres y, por tanto, en la búsqueda de las soluciones deben participar tanto hombres como mujeres.

Pedimos, pues, una recomendación de la Comisión a los órganos pertinentes para que se tomen las medidas oportunas que aseguren una presencia equilibrada de hombres y mujeres. La ausencia de datos desglosados por género dificulta enormemente la búsqueda de soluciones para los problemas de las mujeres que trabajan en el sector. Por ello, pedimos a la Comisión que, a través del Instituto Europeo de la Igualdad de Género, dé una pronta solución a esta cuestión.

Hacer que estas mujeres sean más visibles también pasa por usar un lenguaje correcto que refleje que, en el sector de la pesca, hay mujeres y hombres y no únicamente hombres. Por esto me parece muy adecuada, y la apoyamos, la propuesta, que también acaba de defender el ponente, de cambiar en el título de este informe la palabra «pescadores» por «comunidades de pesca».

Señorías, no podemos permitir que colectivos como el de las mujeres que trabajan en la pesca de bajura estén desprotegidos. La Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género reclama un mayor reconocimiento al trabajo de estas mujeres y que se den soluciones a los problemas específicos derivados del mismo.

  Carmen Fraga Estévez, en nombre del Grupo PPE-DE. – Señor Presidente, quiero expresar mi agradecimiento al señor ponente, a quien felicito en nombre de mi Grupo por su magnífico informe, que no habría salido adelante si él no hubiera tenido la generosidad de aceptar muchas enmiendas y sugerencias de otros diputados representantes de distintas zonas pesqueras con muy distintos conceptos de la pesca artesanal.

No hay que olvidar que estos barcos representan alrededor del 80 % de todos los buques comunitarios y que esta modalidad de pesca se practica en todos los Estados miembros costeros, aunque en cada uno presente características particulares.

Y es, precisamente, el tratamiento de este aspecto, el que me parece uno de los mejores logros del informe, al haber precisado una serie de criterios, que sí pueden ser comunes a la mayor parte de la flota artesanal, que en unos Estados miembros viene definida por la eslora, en otros por el tipo de tratamiento del producto de la pesca, o por las distancias a la costa, o por la duración de las mareas, o por una combinación de varios criterios.

Por eso, la definición de la pesca artesanal, atendiendo, como hace la legislación comunitaria, a los doce metros de eslora, no deja de ser un artificio ajeno a la realidad, que esperamos sea modificado en un futuro próximo en la legislación comunitaria.

Asimismo, es pertinente subrayar las responsabilidades y obligaciones que esta flota tiene en la conservación de los recursos, ya que, si bien son barcos de pequeño o mediano porte, no hay que olvidar que son muy numerosos y que faenan en aguas muy sensibles a la sobreexplotación, al ser zonas caracterizadas por una alta concentración de juveniles.

Por último, quiero dejar constancia de una asignatura pendiente que tiene buena parte de la flota con la seguridad. Lo que me lleva a insistir, una vez más, en que el futuro Fondo Europeo de la Pesca deberá tener en cuenta las necesidades de modernización y renovación por razones de seguridad y también por razones de ahorro energético, con el fin de paliar la crisis del sector pesquero provocada por el aumento de los precios del gasoil.

Y no me parece que el acuerdo que se ha tomado en el Coreper y que va a ir al Consejo de Ministros ofrezca todas las medidas que este Parlamento pidió en el informe Casa relativo al Fondo Europeo de la Pesca (FEP), donde había muchas más medidas que seguramente flexibilizarían mucho más la situación de renovación y modernización de la pesca artesanal.

  Rosa Miguélez Ramos, en nombre del Grupo PSE. – Señor Presidente, a través de este informe el Parlamento Europeo reconoce explícitamente la contribución fundamental de la pesca de bajura, no sólo a las economías locales, sino también al mantenimiento del tejido social de las comunidades costeras, tan necesitado de elementos de cohesión.

Quiero felicitar al ponente, nuestro colega Ó Neachtain, por haber tenido la feliz idea de proponer este informe de iniciativa en un momento especialmente delicado para las pequeñas comunidades, que se encuentran con problemas que es urgente y necesario abordar.

El primero, la vetustez de sus embarcaciones, cuya modernización es necesario seguir apoyando, en particular para mejorar las condiciones de vida y de trabajo a bordo y para establecer una cultura de la seguridad, que comienza por buques más seguros y más modernos.

El segundo, la ausencia de jóvenes. Coincido con el ponente en que es necesaria una iniciativa de la Comisión en materia de formación para fomentar el ingreso en el sector de jóvenes profesionales. Pero la formación tiene que ir más allá. Tiene que incluir la seguridad en el trabajo a bordo, la protección de los recursos y la protección del mar y las zonas costeras. La pesca de bajura, cuando está bien ordenada, es un elemento esencial de conservación del ecosistema. Y la formación tiene que contemplar, además, la mejora de la calidad de las capturas, de su comercialización y de la gestión de la pequeña empresa, porque estas cuestiones son las que pueden permitir a los pequeños pescadores consolidar sus resultados de negocio y mejorar su nivel de vida.

Para concluir, quiero felicitar muy especialmente a la ponente de la Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género, la señora Riera, que ha hecho aportaciones muy valiosas que han enriquecido el informe. Efectivamente, las mujeres desempeñan un papel fundamental en el sector y, bien organizadas, pueden prestar una importante contribución al desarrollo socioeconómico de las comunidades dependientes de la pesca.

  Dirk Sterckx, namens de ALDE-Fractie. – Voorzitter, we vinden het een goede zaak dat de specifieke problemen van de kustvisserij in dit verslag worden erkend en dat hierin de Regionale Adviesraden aan de orde komen. Mijn fractie heeft echter twee bezwaren.

Ten eerste willen wij de nadruk leggen op subsidiariteit. De verschillen tussen de regio's zijn te groot om in deze sector te trachten een harmonisatie door te voeren. De ALDE-Fractie vindt ook dat het geld van de EU ertoe moet dienen de duurzaamheid in de kustvisserij te bevorderen, bijvoorbeeld door minder brandstofverbruik, en niet om de capaciteit te vergroten. Indien op onze amendementen over deze twee punten niet wordt ingegaan, zal mijn fractie zich hier moeten onthouden. We willen in elk geval de rapporteur bedanken voor het feit dat hij met zijn initiatiefverslag de kustvisserij onder de aandacht heeft gebracht.

  Ian Hudghton, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, I should like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Ó Neachtain, for his initiative in highlighting the special needs and the economic and social importance of the inshore fishing sector. It is a vitally important network of mostly small, mostly family-run businesses, which are the lifeblood of most of our small coastal communities.

Around the coast and the many islands of Scotland, it is a sector that is of the utmost importance and it undoubtedly has not benefited from the political support it deserves. Unfortunately, though, Scotland’s offshore fishing industry has not had a happy experience as a result of the common fisheries policy. So there is not a great demand – to put it mildly – for new EU legislation specific to inshore fisheries. However, support for initiatives in, for example, the fields of vessel safety, fuel economy, training and investment funding is worth pursuing at local and EU level, through the European Fisheries Fund.

In Scotland it is not just the CFP that has been bad for our fishing communities. Over the years, the Scottish and UK Governments too have failed to support EU initiatives by cofinancing. I hope that if, as a result of this report, we move towards some specific new programmes to assist coastal fishing, the Scottish Government will be persuaded to provide the necessary support.

Our small coastal communities have a very long history, with generations of families making a living from fishing. I would like to see those communities returned to a state where the young and the future generations have some hope of being able to follow in that tradition.

  Pedro Guerreiro, em nome do Grupo GUE/NGL. – Senhor Presidente, a pesca costeira, nomeadamente a pequena pesca costeira e a pesca artesanal, presta um contributo considerável para o bem-estar socioeconómico das comunidades costeiras, não só em Portugal como nos restantes Estados costeiros. Como temos salientado, a pesca costeira contribui para o desenvolvimento local, a manutenção e a criação de postos de trabalho, a montante e a jusante, o abastecimento de peixe fresco e a manutenção das tradições culturais locais.

A crise económica e social que o sector das pescas continua a atravessar, agora agravada com o aumento dos preços do combustível, afecta sobretudo os segmentos de frota menos competitivos, nomeadamente a pesca costeira. No nosso entender, esta crise está igualmente associada às orientações e aplicações da política comum de pesca e ao seu não reconhecimento específico das necessidades da pesca costeira.

Deste modo, este segmento de frota necessita de ser apoiado, não somente a nível nacional, mas também comunitário. Considerando o presente relatório, na sua generalidade positivo, destacamos a afirmação da necessidade do reconhecimento das especificidades da pequena pesca costeira e da pesca artesanal na política comum das pescas e a adaptação dos presentes instrumentos por forma a responder às necessidades deste sector, assim como a necessidade de manter no futuro Fundo Europeu para as Pescas as ajudas à modernização e à renovação da pesca costeira e artesanal.

Contudo, o relatório é insuficiente na resposta imediata aos problemas da actual crise e quanto aos novos instrumentos que devem ser criados para efectivar um real reconhecimento da especificidade deste segmento de frota. Nesse sentido, apresentamos duas propostas de alteração, a primeira sobre a necessidade de criar um programa comunitário em prol da pequena pesca costeira e artesanal, que não só apoie projectos específicos, mas que ajude a concentrar os instrumentos e a canalizar verbas em prol da pesca costeira; a segunda, tendo em conta a necessidade de medidas de emergência para dar resposta à grave situação socioeconómica do sector, propõe a criação de uma indemnização transitória temporária de emergência para combater os efeitos do forte aumento dos preços dos combustíveis. Esperamos que as referidas propostas possam contar com o apoio do plenário.

  Sebastiano (Nello) Musumeci, a nome del gruppo UEN. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, vorrei congratularmi con il relatore per la chiarezza e la completezza del testo presentato. Da molti anni sottolineamo la necessità di uno sfruttamento sostenibile della pesca, in particolare nel Mediterraneo, ripetendo quanto viene ribadito con opportuna enfasi nella relazione oggetto dell'odierna discussione.

Purtroppo, il poco tempo a disposizione non ci consente di approfondire alcuni interessanti argomenti, quali la parità uomo-donna nel settore della pesca, la sicurezza a bordo dei pescherecci, le fonti energetiche alternative di fronte al caro prezzo del gasolio e l'ammodernamento delle flotte.

Mi piace evidenziare come la pesca costiera e artigianale – e ve lo dice un uomo del Sud, che vive quasi quotidianamente a stretto contatto con il mondo marinaro – oltre a rappresentare un'importantissima fonte di guadagno per migliaia di famiglie europee che popolano le coste del nostro continente, è portatrice di una plurisecolare tradizione che l'Europa, a nostro avviso, deve sostenere e preservare.

Sostenere la pesca costiera significa tra l'altro difenderla dalla pesca selvaggia operata da imbarcazioni battenti bandiere extracomunitarie che, spavaldamente e senza alcun ritegno, esercitano la loro attività senza alcun riguardo per la quantità, la qualità e il tipo di specie ittiche pescate. E' di questi giorni l'ennesima protesta dei pescatori del Sud, a Bagnara in Calabria. L'Unione europea non può imporre limiti e sacrifici ai nostri pescatori e lasciare assoluta libertà alle flotte extraeuropee nel Mediterraneo.

La pesca costiera può e deve rendere compatibile un'importante attività economica con la necessaria e doverosa preservazione dell'ambiente marino. Per queste e per altre ragioni sostengo pienamente la presente relazione, sottolineando in particolare il punto 16 della proposta di risoluzione, in cui si invita la Commissione a riconoscere una volta per tutte la specificità della pesca costiera artigianale nella politica comune della pesca, che finora si è rivelata essere penalizzante.

  James Hugh Allister (NI). – Mr President, I commend the rapporteur for his hard work in drawing attention to the needs of an often neglected sector in fishing. In my own constituency of Northern Ireland, our sector is equally feeling the pressures identified in this report, and indeed a recent political decision to deprive the white fish fleet of tie-up aid, as compensation for losses inflicted by the cod recovery scheme closure has put added pressure on the inshore sector and on inshore fish and shellfish stock, because those denied tie-up aid are forced into the domain of that sector.

However, UK fishermen’s experience of the common fisheries policy, whatever the Conservative Party might now say, has been so negative that, in consequence and in conscience, I could not advocate what amounts to the full extension of the common fisheries policy controls to the inshore sector. This is where I part company with the rapporteur. He thinks that the answer for the inshore sector is more Europe. I disagree, for two reasons.

Firstly, yes, we need marketing assistance, fleet modernisation, fuel assistance, and proper recognition of the potential needs of inshore fishing, but the imposition of European harmonisation – fishing gear control, data collection, a new Community initiative – is the path, I fear, to restriction, not to growth.

Secondly, only some countries would take up the match funding opportunities which might arise in return for EU regulation and competence. Countries like mine, the United Kingdom, would not take that up and therefore disparity in this sector across Europe would intensify, not diminish, and my inshore fishermen would have all the pain of EU regulation, with none of the gain of available assistance.

For those reasons I am obliged to say that I cannot support this report, although I readily acknowledge the genuine motivations the rapporteur had in bringing it forward.

  Neil Parish (PPE-DE). – Mr President, I should like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Ó Neachtain, and to welcome the Commissioner here.

I too believe that the inshore fishing community is very much the backbone of our fishing community. However, after our experience with the common fisheries policy in the south-west of England we dread it extending its tentacles even further. I think we have to look at the overall take of fish – not just what has been caught inshore, but also what has been taken further out to sea – because, whether we like it or not, there is a limited number of fish and the future of inshore fishing relies greatly on adding value to the fish that is caught.

When talking about inshore fishing we must also not ignore recreational fishermen and anglers, because they are very much part of the future. We really must make the most of the fish that is caught.

Fuel prices and costs are an important factor and there again we need to look to the future. We might not have electrical boats now, but we could in the future. The vessels up to 12 metres long, which is what we are referring to, are quite large vessels and capable of catching a lot of fish. So we have to be careful about the size of the nets. That is where I disagree with Mr Allister, because we have to sustain fish stocks and ensure that the larger fish are caught and the smaller ones are left to grow. If we do not face up to the fact of diminishing fish stocks, whatever policy we bring in will not create the extra fish that we all need.

  Paulo Casaca (PSE). – Quero, em primeiro lugar, associar-me a todos os que já tiveram ocasião de felicitar o excelente trabalho apresentado pelo nosso colega Ó Neachtain e o seu empenho reiterado nesta problemática que nos é tão cara.

Eu gostaria de dizer que a pesca costeira é um conceito que deve essencialmente ser definido do ponto de vista económico, social, ambiental, também de acordo com as suas técnicas, mas que tem de ser visto geograficamente à luz da realidade a que se aplica. Quero com isto chamar a atenção, quer da Comissão, quer também dos nossos colegas, para realidades ultraperiféricas como as dos Açores e da Madeira onde não existem plataformas continentais e onde o equivalente à costa são efectivamente bancos costeiros que, por vezes, se situam a grandes distâncias das ilhas, mas que representam, para todos os efeitos, exactamente o mesmo que a costa perto de terra representa para outras realidades continentais.

Isto é para nós algo de extraordinariamente importante porque se não for feita esta adaptação, não seremos capazes de compreender a realidade dessas regiões e, por isso, eu fazia um grande apelo à Comissão para que tivesse isto em consideração.

  Leopold Józef Rutowicz (NI). – Panie Przewodniczący! Sprawozdanie w sprawie rybołówstwa przybrzeżnego i problemów rybaków zajmujących się połowami trafnie przekazuje ich aktualną sytuację.

W Polsce złomowano w ramach reform duże ilości starych kutrów, a mała opłacalność połowów oraz brak środków pieniężnych nie zezwalała na ich odtworzenie. Zamknięto dużą ilość przedsiębiorstw rodzinnych łowiących i przetwarzających ryby. Aktualnie na samym wybrzeżu są trudności z zakupem świeżych ryb, które były atrakcją dla wczasowiczów i turystów. Nastąpił znaczny odpływ ludzi, szczególnie młodych, z tego zawodu.

Proponowane w sprawozdaniu środki takie jak: dostęp do tanich paliw, pomoc finansowa i inwestycyjna dla rybaków oraz rodzinnych przedsiębiorstw, szkolenie i edukacja zawodowa młodych rybaków i kandydatów do zawodu mogą skutecznie przeciwdziałać marginalizacji tego rybołówstwa. Zastosowanie tych środków zezwoliłoby na utrzymanie istniejących i powstawanie nowych miejsc pracy w regionie, w którym aktualnie występuje duże bezrobocie. Pomoc taka ma duże znaczenie społeczne i gospodarcze, a konsumentom gwarantuje specjalności miejscowej kuchni opartej na świeżych rybach. Szczególnie ważną sprawą jest uruchomienie Europejskiego Funduszu Rybołówstwa. Przyjęcie sprawozdania i realizacja ujętych w niej wniosków spotka się z dużą wdzięcznością rybaków.

Chciałbym podziękować panu Ó Neachtainowi za opracowane sprawozdanie. Popieram wnioski sprawozdawcy.

  Iles Braghetto (PPE-DE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, esprimo i miei ringraziamenti per il lavoro svolto dal collega Ó Neachtain che ha condotto un'analisi attenta dei problemi della pesca costiera nell'Unione europea.

La relazione considera giustamente e finalmente importante il ruolo delle donne, riconosce le loro difficoltà di operare in questo settore, richiama il tema della sicurezza a bordo, sottolinea l'importanza della formazione professionale e il ruolo che la pesca costiera può avere nella protezione e nella conservazione dell'ambiente marino costiero.

Vorrei tuttavia richiamare due aspetti che sono importanti per il mio paese, l'Italia, non soltanto per il sud ma anche per l'Adriatico del nord.

In primo luogo, pur considerando che le risorse costiere vanno tutelate e che si deve legiferare per un tipo di pesca sostenibile e rispettosa dell'ambiente, la proposta di sopprimere tutte le tecniche di pesca che minacciano la sopravvivenza delle risorse costiere e la sostenibilità economica del tessuto sociale legato alla pesca è una disposizione certamente giusta ma che mette in difficoltà molti operatori, i quali rimarrebbero senza lavoro in mancanza di valide proposte alternative per un settore che già attraversa una pesante crisi occupazionale.

In secondo luogo, non viene prestata sufficiente attenzione all'associazionismo e al ruolo positivo che esso potrebbe svolgere nel contribuire allo sviluppo socioeconomico delle comunità dipendenti dalla pesca. Poter demandare la gestione della pesca locale alle realtà locali e agli Stati membri, rinvigorendo quel principio di sussidiarietà che i nostri pescatori auspicano per la gestione della pesca costiera, significherebbe avvicinare i loro problemi alla fonte di soluzione.

Gli stessi centri consultivi regionali dovrebbero favorire il dialogo fra l'Unione europea e le realtà locali. Tali centri, di cui ne sono previsti sette ma ne sono stati costituiti solo quattro, non sono ritenuti né funzionali né incisivi per la gestione delle risorse della piccola pesca poiché si tratta di organismi solo consultivi.

Concludo ringraziando il Commissario Borg per l'importante lavoro realizzato in particolare in relazione al Libro verde sul futuro della politica comune della pesca, in cui si propone di fare interagire i diversi settori coinvolti nella gestione della politica marittima.

  Σταύρος Αρναουτάκης (PSE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, θα ήθελα να εκφράσω την ικανοποίησή μου σχετικά με το σύνολο των διαπιστώσεων και προτάσεων που θέτει ο εισηγητής αλλά και να διατυπώσω κάποιες σκέψεις.

Γνωρίζουμε όλοι ότι η παράκτια αλιεία αποτελεί βασική οικονομική δραστηριότητα σε μειονεκτικές και απομονωμένες περιοχές της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Για τη χώρα μου την Ελλάδα χαρακτηριστικά αναφέρω ότι η παράκτια αλιεία έχει το μεγαλύτερο αριθμό σκαφών (96% του αλιευτικού στόλου) και τη μεγαλύτερη απασχόληση. Χρειάζεται οικονομική στήριξη του κλάδου για την αντικατάσταση και τον εκσυγχρονισμό των σκαφών.

Η προσέλευση νέων εργαζομένων στην παράκτια αλιεία, πέραν της οικογενειακής σύνδεσης που μπορεί να έχουν, απαιτεί έργο εφαρμογής συγκεκριμένων πολιτικών ενίσχυσης, αφού και η ίδια η έκθεση ομιλεί για την οικονομική δυσχέρεια τόσο των πλοιοκτητών όσο και των εργαζομένων αλλά και την περιορισμένη δανειοληπτική ικανότητά τους, παράγοντες οι οποίοι επιδρούν αρνητικά για την προσέλευση των νέων στο επάγγελμα. Η πολιτική αυτή θα μπορούσε, εκτός της επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης, να περιέχει και καθορισμένα κίνητρα για νέους αλιείς.

Πρέπει να αναγνωριστεί ο ρόλος και η συμβολή των γυναικών στις οικογενειακής μορφής επιχειρήσεις της παράκτιας αλιείας. H Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση θα πρέπει να βοηθήσει στην κατεύθυνση της οργάνωσης των παράκτιων αλιέων με τη στήριξη των οργανώσεών τους στη δημιουργία υποδομών στη διακίνηση των προϊόντων αλλά και τη βελτίωση των μεθόδων αλίευσης. Θα πρέπει να σημειώσουμε εδώ ότι η οργάνωσή τους δεν τους επιτρέπει να αντιπροσωπεύονται επαρκώς στα όργανα λήψης αποφάσεων αλλά και στις δημόσιες ακροάσεις.

Συνεπώς ένας από τους στόχους μας στα πλαίσια της διαβούλευσης θα πρέπει να είναι η ενεργός συμμετοχή παράκτιων οργανώσεων από όλη την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση σε ένα διάλογο στο πλαίσιο του οποίου θα έχουν καθοριστεί οι προτεραιότητες αλλά και το χρονοδιάγραμμα ολοκλήρωσής του σε τοπικό, περιφερειακό αλλά και σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο.

  Zdzisław Kazimierz Chmielewski (PPE-DE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Sprawozdanie Ó Neachtaina stanowi interesujący efekt poszukiwań przez sprawozdawcę sedna naprawdę złożonego problemu, niełatwo poddającego się próbie oceny zagadnienia rybołówstwa przybrzeżnego. Nadal bowiem pojęcie to w powszechnym odczuciu balansuje pomiędzy rybołówstwem przemysłowym, rzemieślniczym i wakacyjnym wędkowaniem i, jak każda z dziedzin trudno definiowalnych, niejednoznacznie kwalifikowanych, skazane jest na marginalizację, pozostawanie poza głównym nurtem unijnych programów finansowo-inwestycyjnych. A przecież około 80% rybołówstwa morskiego przypada właśnie na rybołówstwo przybrzeżne – niedoinwestowane, traktowane po macoszemu, które musi borykać się z ogromnymi trudnościami natury technicznej, społecznej czy ekonomicznej.

Brak środków na unowocześnienie sprzętu połowowego skutkuje mnożącymi się defektami kutrów, i co gorsza – przypadkami zatonięć; pogarszają się warunki codziennej egzystencji, spadają statystyki połowowe. To popularne, utrwalone wieloletnią tradycją rybołówstwo zdaje się po prostu gubić klarowną perspektywę. W pełni usprawiedliwiony zatem jest apel o przystąpienie do działań mających na celu zabezpieczenie elementarnych podstaw rybołówstwa przybrzeżnego, zastosowanie przez państwa członkowskie wspólnych mechanizmów ochronnych gwarantujących jego utrzymanie, mechanizmów tym skuteczniejszych, im bardziej uwzględniających specyfikę tego rybołówstwa, warunków przyrodniczych, potrzeb technicznych i przesłanek ekonomicznych danej strefy przybrzeżnej.

  Ιωάννης Γκλαβάκης (PPE-DE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, θέλω και εγώ να συγχαρώ τον εισηγητή για την πράγματι πολύ ωραία έκθεση που μάς έκανε.

Η παράκτια αλιεία έχει ιδιαίτερη σημασία. Έχει σημασία οικονομική, κοινωνική, πολιτιστική, περιβαλλοντική. Οικονομική, διότι εξασφαλίζει εισόδημα σε απομακρυσμένες νησιωτικές και, πολλές φορές, φτωχές περιοχές. Κοινωνική, διότι οι περισσότερες είναι μικρές οικογενειακές εκμεταλλεύσεις και, αν χαθεί αυτό το είδος της αλιείας, θα χαθούν και αυτές. Πολιτιστική, διότι οι περιοχές αυτές έχουν έντονα τα στοιχεία της παράδοσης και, αν εκλείψουν αυτοί οι ψαράδες, θα χαθεί μαζί τους και κομμάτι του ευρωπαϊκού πολιτισμού. Περιβαλλοντική, διότι αυτό το είδος αλιείας δεν προκαλεί ζημία ή προκαλεί τη μικρότερη δυνατή ζημία εν σχέσει με τα άλλα είδη. Ας μην ξεχνάμε ότι το 44% του αλιευτικού εργατικού δυναμικού απασχολείται στην παράκτια αλιεία, το δε 75% του αλιευτικού στόλου της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης είναι παράκτια αλιεία. Αυτά τα δύο νούμερα μάς λένε πάρα πολλά.

Θα ήθελα να πω ότι είναι ανάγκη να προστατευθεί η παράκτια αλιεία. Και όταν λέμε να προστατευθεί, εννοούμε ασφάλεια σκαφών. Οι άνθρωποι που βγαίνουν να ψαρέψουν πρέπει να έχουν το αίσθημα ότι θα γυρίσουν με ασφάλεια στα σπίτια τους, γι ' αυτό ο εκσυγχρονισμός πρέπει να βοηθηθεί.

Χρειάζονται επίσης η προσέλκυση νέων στο επάγγελμα, διότι ο πληθυσμός γηράσκει, δυνατότητα διάθεσης του προϊόντος τους, ώστε να μην τρώνε τα λεφτά οι μεσάζοντες αλλά να καταλήγουν στις τσέπες των ψαράδων και των καταναλωτών, αντιμετώπιση των προβλημάτων, όπως είναι η άνοδος των τιμών, και, τέλος, μεγάλη προσπάθεια να έχουμε καθαρές θάλασσες, για να έχουμε ψάρια στις θάλασσές μας και για χίλιους δυο ακόμη λόγους.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Mr President, I would like to thank the honourable Members for the valuable remarks they have made, and I have taken note of the various points raised. I shall try to reply briefly to some of them.

First of all, I agree that women should be given and should take every opportunity to establish gender parity. The Commission will do its utmost to bring this about by all available means with regard to fisheries, particularly coastal fisheries, where women are more prominent than in the other fisheries sectors.

On three specific points that have been made, the granting or otherwise of tie-up aid is a national matter and the reporting and control are aimed more at larger vessels than at smaller ones. Smaller vessels are in many instances either exempt, or have less stringent requirements to comply with.

With regard to the specificities of inshore fisheries, I need to underline again that up to a distance of 12 nautical miles these are largely subject to Member State jurisdiction. The EU is not really involved in the control of fisheries within the 12-nautical-mile limit, other than in exceptional cases. I also agree that the specificity of different coastal areas has to be taken into account. We are actually doing that in the Mediterranean proposal, and I hope that later this year I will go back to Council to try and have the Mediterranean proposal adopted.

As I said in my opening remarks, there is quite extensive provision for the promotion of small coastal fisheries in the European Fisheries Fund. I would also like to say that, after a long and difficult balancing act, we have finally hammered out a compromise deal allowing Coreper to agree on the European Fisheries Fund, and it will now feature as an ‘A item’ at this Monday’s Agricultural and Fisheries Council.

To outline how the European Fisheries Fund seeks to attain this assistance to small coastal fisheries, first of all there is a reduction of the private contribution to modernisation of vessels for owners of smaller ships to 20%. The European Fisheries Fund gives them more favourable treatment and conditions for engine replacement for vessels of up to 12 metres, in which case engines can be changed without reduction of capacity on a one-to-one basis. Member States are urged to give safety tonnage, preferably to smaller vessels.

The European Fisheries Fund also allows for young fishers to be offered favourable conditions for training and the purchase of a first second-hand vessel. The Fund can also be used for projects aimed at bringing about gender equality. It provides for the promotion of processing and marketing, which could be beneficial to coastal communities and fishers.

The Commission will carefully examine the results of the study it commissioned earlier this year when they are available, and will decide, on the basis of the findings, what measures can be proposed next year and whether there is scope for a Community initiative on coastal fisheries. Mr Ó Neachtain’s report will also be taken into account. However, my view is that we should not over-regulate in such a sector; we should help mainly by providing assistance for coastal fishers to overcome the handicaps that they face in exercising their profession.

  Le Président. – Le débat est clos.

Le vote aura lieu demain, à 11 heures.

Déclarations écrites (article 142)

  Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE). – La crisi economica e sociale in cui si trova il settore della pesca in Italia, colpito da costi di gestione che superano il 40% e da perdite di reddito che si aggirano intorno al 25% nell'ultimo triennio, tocca soprattutto i segmenti meno competitivi della flotta, in particolare quello della pesca costiera, settore su cui influisce in misura maggiore l'alta instabilità del costo del carburante e l'aumento dei costi variabili.

Oltre alle difficoltà di natura economica, il settore della pesca costiera si trova ad affrontare la mancanza di un quadro normativo specifico. L'Unione europea deve adottare un atteggiamento realistico e consentire l'adozione di definizioni non eccessivamente rigide. Nel futuro regolamento per il Mediterraneo, ad esempio, sarà opportuno prevedere la possibilità di proporre aggiustamenti a livello nazionale.

La Commissione deve riconoscere la specificità della piccola pesca costiera e della pesca artigianale all'interno della politica comune della pesca, tenendo conto del fatto che determinate zone costiere, in particolare di regioni insulari o ultraperiferiche, sono fortemente dipendenti dalla pesca e dalle industrie generate dall'indotto. Essa deve analizzare fino a che punto gli attuali strumenti siano adeguati a rispondere alle necessità di settore, coinvolgendo maggiormente i rappresentanti di categoria nel processo decisionale.

  Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM). – In Ireland, inshore fishing is an industry with special social and economic importance, providing jobs, maintaining remote coastal communities and preserving traditional cultures. It requires skills and knowledge passed from generation to generation of families. It is important that such an industry thrives. The exclusion of inshore fishing from current Community legislation is creating an environment in which mere survival is questionable.

It is so important that inshore fishing be developed, making it attractive to the employment-seeking youth. The job is generally associated with low wages and unreliability. Many must seek further part-time work to supplement their income. In Ireland, the Celtic Tiger economic boom has resulted in higher-paying, stable occupational opportunities for young professionals.

An issue which should be addressed concerns the sourcing of funding aid through the European Fisheries Fund for inshore fishermen badly affected by legislative or policy changes relating to their fishery. From 2007 on, 1200 Irish salmon fishermen face the loss of their livelihood due to such legislative and policy changes.

Inshore fishermen are very vulnerable to the implications of the designation of Special Areas of Conservation. It is necessary that provisions be made to compensate those affected by such designation.