MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Mauritania
16.3.2011
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
João Ferreira on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0193/2011
B7‑0197/2011/rev.
European Parliament resolution on the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Mauritania
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas fisheries partnership agreements must be based on the achievement of economic and social objectives in fishing-related areas through close scientific and technical cooperation, under conditions that safeguard the sustainable exploitation of fish stocks,
B. whereas cooperation must be based on mutual interest and take the form of initiatives and measures which, whether taken jointly or separately, are complementary and ensure consistent policies,
C. whereas the fisheries sector and related industries play an important role in the economic and social development of both third countries and the Member States,
D. whereas the fisheries sector is extremely important to Mauritania's economy, representing 10% of the country's GDP and between 35 and 50% of its exports, and contributing 29% of national budget revenue,
E. whereas the fisheries sector in Mauritania generates around 45 000 jobs, directly and indirectly, and accounts for 36% of the country's total employment, with 31% of these jobs stemming from artisanal fishing and 12% from industrial fishing,
F. whereas the EU has had fisheries agreements with Mauritania since 1987 and from 1996 onwards, under the Cooperation Agreement, these agreements have taken on a significant dimension of cooperation, including explicit objectives in the area of cooperation for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Mauritania,
G. whereas in financial terms the Fisheries Agreement between the EU and Mauritania is the most important of all the fisheries agreements signed by the EU,
H. whereas the various lines of support provided for in the various fisheries agreements between the EU and Mauritania have been very inadequately implemented,
I. whereas, apart from the port of Nouadhibou, in the north of the country, there is not one fishing port in over 700 km of Atlantic coastline,
J. whereas, owing to the scant development of the fisheries sector in Mauritania, the country is deprived of the value added that it would obtain if it were exploiting its fishery resources itself (including processing and sales),
K. whereas securing the development of the fisheries sector would result in economic and social development for Mauritania, creating more jobs, autonomy, sovereignty and independence,
L. whereas the Commission has not yet submitted the ex-post evaluation of the fisheries agreement with Mauritania,
M. whereas the lack of means for carrying out monitoring and surveillance at sea makes it more likely that fishery resources will be overexploited and biodiversity will decline,
1. Regrets that a significant part of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement's (FPA) objectives have not been achieved; takes the view that the inadequate progress made towards these objectives, particularly in the field of scientific and technical cooperation, has not made it possible to secure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Mauritania;
2. Recognises that the following lines of support for the fisheries sector in Mauritania have not been satisfactorily implemented: the modernisation and development of small-scale traditional coastal fishing and fishery-related industries; the development of port infrastructure and better conditions for unloading catches; the development of aquaculture projects; improved monitoring and surveillance at sea;
3. Considers it necessary to carry out a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the reasons for the inadequate achievement of the objectives set out in the FAP, particularly as regards development cooperation and the various lines of support for the fisheries sector in Mauritania; stresses that this evaluation must involve the Mauritanian authorities;
4. Believes that the EU should support the fastest possible construction of adequate facilities for landing fish along Mauritania's central and southern coastline, so that the fish caught in Mauritanian waters can be landed at national ports rather than outside the country, as is currently often the case;
5. Takes the view that, as well as stimulating the country's economic development, developing the fisheries sector in Mauritania (including catches, processing and marketing) may offer important benefits in terms of the quality and security of the food supply, increasing local people's appetite for eating fish at affordable prices;
6. Points out that FAPs in general have often been reduced to a transfer of appropriations to third countries in exchange for the right to exploit their fishery resources, the FAP with Mauritania being a prime example; draws attention to the fact that this restrictive vision of FAPs runs counter to their spirit and explicit objectives;
7. Stresses that, in the medium term, FAPs should promote the sustainable exploitation by the third country of its own resources, for both internal consumption and export, thereby enabling it to benefit from the wealth produced, which will remain in the country;
8. Takes the view that the exploitation of a third country's resources by foreign shipowners, including those from the EU, should be restricted to resources that are not used by the country's own population;
9. Draws attention to the vital need to safeguard the proper medium and long-term conservation of marine ecosystems; believes that cooperation with Mauritania should be stepped up significantly in this area too;
10. Advocates the development and application of suitable indicators that will make it possible to monitor the achievement of the objectives of FAPs while they are in force; points out that this monitoring should lead to the effective adoption of corrective procedures, to be coordinated with the third country, where divergences from the stated objectives have been found;
11. Urges the Commission to submit the ex-post evaluation of the FAP between the EU and Mauritania, and of the remaining FAPs, without delay;
12. Believes that fisheries agreements between the EU and third countries should be preceded by a wide-ranging debate which will allow the effective participation of the public and of social organisations in the various countries and involve both national parliaments and the European Parliament, thereby guaranteeing that negotiations within the operating framework of each country's institutions are democratic and transparent;
13. Stresses countries' right to give priority to the development of their fisheries sector and market, taxing imported goods, imposing minimum quality criteria and technical criteria and combating dumping;
14. Supports the establishment of fairer and more equitable economic ties that support the fight against profound injustice and social inequalities, hunger, disease and poverty.