Snow crab fishing
5.4.2017
Question for written answer E-002532-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE) , Gabriel Mato (PPE) , Jarosław Wałęsa (PPE)
Since 2013, EU vessels have been authorised to fish for snow crab in the Barents Sea and Svalbard waters. Although these vessels carry a valid fishing license, a couple of them were arrested by the Norwegian authorities, who refuse to recognise the legitimate right of EU vessels to sustainably and legally operate in these areas. To date, many boats remain in port out of fear of being arrested. EU operators are losing an average of EUR 1 million per month each.
In view of the recent Norwegian court ruling declaring Norwegian restrictions illegitimate and contrary to the international obligations undertaken by Norway and point 56 of the European Parliament resolution on an integrated EU policy for the Arctic[1]:
- 1.What is the Commission’s plan of action to allow the snow crab fishing that was carried out by authorised EU vessels before it was illegally interrupted by Norway to resume?
- 2.How will the Commission uphold the legitimate rights of Member States that are signatories to the Svalbard Treaty and beneficiaries of the Council’s Regulation on the issue, for snow crab fishing in the Svalbard waters?
- 3.What financial mechanism will the Commission deploy to compensate EU vessels that remain tied up in port for their financial losses?
- [1] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0093