Implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 with regard to unsustainable mackerel fishing in the North East Atlantic
5.3.2013
Question for oral answer O-000023/2013
to the Commission
Rule 115
Pat the Cope Gallagher, Gabriel Mato Adrover
on behalf of the Committee on Fisheries
Mackerel stocks in the North East Atlantic have traditionally been managed through the Coastal States Agreement between the EU, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway. Since 2010 the Faroe Islands and Iceland have established unilateral quotas. Since then, the Faroe Islands have unilaterally increased their share of mackerel from 4.6 % in 2009 to over 23 % in 2012. The Faroe Islands will set a quota of over 156 000 tonnes for 2013, including a carry-over of 30 000t from 2012. Iceland has unilaterally increased its share from 1 % in 2006 to 23 % in 2012, going from 4 200t to 150 000t. This year, Iceland has set a unilateral quota of 123 000t. The 2013 unilateral quotas set by both countries represent over 51 % of the recommended total catch advised by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Also, the Faroe Islands have this year withdrawn from the Coastal States Agreement on Atlanto‑Scandian herring and have indicated that they intend to increase significantly their share of this stock. The EU pelagic sector is suffering large economic losses as a result of this irresponsible behaviour. In 2012 Parliament adopted a new regulation aimed at preventing overfishing. To date, the Commission has failed to implement these new measures against the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
1. In October 2012 Parliament and the Council gave a very strong political mandate to the Commission to enact a trade sanction mechanism in the case of unsustainable fishing by third countries. When will the Commission respect this mandate and issue trade measures against Iceland and the Faroe Islands in the abovementioned case in an effort to stop this irresponsible behaviour?
2. Is it correct that the Commission’s legal service is still verifying the requirements for trade measures against Iceland and the Faroe Islands? If so, can the Commission outline what specific requirements are under review? When will this process be finalised?
3. What action does the Commission plan to take to stop the unsustainable and irresponsible fishing of mackerel stocks by Iceland and the Faroe Islands if it decides not to implement trade measures immediately ?
4. Given that the Faroe Islands have left the Coastal States Agreement on Atlanto-Scandian herring and have signalled their intention of unilaterally and significantly increasing their share – which goes against the scientific advice and will put a declining stock in jeopardy – what is the Commission’s strategy regarding such unacceptable behaviour and what measures will it put in place?
Tabled: 5.3.2013
Forwarded: 7.3.2013
Deadline for reply: 14.3.2013