Scientific research programme on pulse trawling
12.3.2015
Question for written answer E-004170-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Affronte (EFDD) , Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD) , Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD) , Eleonora Evi (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) , Dario Tamburrano (EFDD) , Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL)
— Whereas, according to Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94, the use of poisoning, explosives or electric shocks in fishing is prohibited in Europe;
— Whereas special conservation areas, such as Dogger Bank and the North Norfolk sandbanks, are areas protected against fishing and any other kind of activity;
— Whereas 97 vessels have been equipped with electric shock generators at GBP 300 000 apiece, making it impossible to convert them to another fishing method;
— Given that, since 2010, these vessels have begun to use the pulse trawling technique to catch prawns in the North Sea, including in protected areas;
— Given that this technique has been banned in the East China Sea, after causing the sector to collapse;
— Whereas recent catches have shown permanent damage to other species and their eggs and embryos;
— Whereas the only explanation the Commission has so far given the media has been to justify this technique on the basis of scientific research;
We ask:
- — For what purpose is research like this being conducted, with the North Sea or even two protected marine areas being used for the trials?
- — What checks are being carried out during application of this technique, which has a heavy impact on the entire marine ecosystem, and how will the results be measured?