Implementation of EU regulation banning fishing with winch trawls
| 30 January 2015 |
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| Question for written answer to the Commission Rule 130 Notis Marias (ECR) |
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Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 prohibits fishing with trawl nets such as winch trawls above seagrass beds (Posidonia Oceanica) and prohibits the use of winch trawls within of 1.5 nautical miles from the coast in less than 50 metres of water in order to protect the coastal maritime environment.
This is because, when used over seagrass beds, winch trawls catch mainly fry, that is to say small fish which have not yet reached reproductive age.
However, under Ministerial Decision No 10245/163681 of 30 December 2014 the Greek authorities have now authorised inshore fishing with winch trawls from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 on the pretext of carrying out research, thereby directly jeopardising the marine ecosystem and the last remaining fish stocks.
This has caused great concern among coastal communities in Greece that are already in a desperate situation because of the drastic reduction in fish stocks.
In view of this:
What measures will the Commission take to ensure that fishing methods in Greece comply with EU legislation so as to protect the marine environment and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen who continue to use traditional methods?
Source: European Parliament
Answer given by Mr Vella on behalf of the Commission
The Commission was informed by the Greek authorities of the Ministerial Decision 10245/163681/30-12-2014 establishing a research plan for winch trawl fishing (βιντζότρατα) in Greek waters. The plan, which covers the period 1 January — 31 December 2015, allows winch trawlers to operate for a maximum of 6 months. The plan is supported by a comprehensive research protocol setting obligations for the collection and reporting of data. The results of the research should allow the Greek authorities to establish a management plan for winch trawlers with appropriate biological targets and management measures, as is required by Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 (the Mediterranean Regulation)(1).
The restrictions of the Mediterranean Regulation, by virtue of Article 1(2), do not apply to fishing operations conducted for the purpose of scientific investigations carried out with the permission and under the authority of the Member State. Nevertheless, the plan sets a prohibition for winch trawlers to operate over the already mapped Posidonia seagrass beds in Natura 2000 sites. This concerns 57 areas of Posidonia beds in total. In parallel, the Greek authorities have launched a project to complete the mapping of Posidonia beds in the whole extent of Greek waters, so as to take them into consideration for the future management plan.
The Commission has no indication that the research plan for winch trawlers is only a pretext to allow inshore fishing in general. The information provided by Greece rather demonstrates that the results of this research will allow Greece to meet its obligations under the Mediterranean Regulation through the establishment of a valid management plan for this gear.
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Source: European Parliament
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