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Ec Adopts Proposals For Overfishing Sanctions


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#1 Barry McCrindle

Barry McCrindle

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:53 AM

From www.fishnewseu.com

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PROPOSALS have finally been progressed by the European Commission that could see sanctions brought against Faroes and Iceland for their overfishing of mackerel .

The Commission proposals, which will be discussed at the Fisheries Council in Brussels this week, establish a framework of sanctions which can be used against any country that engages in unsustainable fishing that threatens EU stocks.


Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "For more than a year we have been asking the Commission to bring forward concrete measures for sanctions, to address excessive mackerel fishing by Faroes and Iceland, outwith an international agreement. Therefore I welcome that these proposals have at last been published. We need to explore all options as we seek a resolution and with a sanctions proposal on the table that can be applied against any country engaging in unsustainable fishing, this would give the EU more leverage when talks resume in January, while providing added incentive for Faroes and Iceland to negotiate reasonably. Our priority continues to be securing an international agreement for the fishery in 2012, however we cannot stand back while this valuable stock is plundered. If we are to ensure mackerel is sustainably fished and Scottish industry safeguarded, it’s critical that we have power to use sanctions, as and when required."


The European Commission said today they had adopted a proposal for a Regulation which would authorise the Commission to impose a range of measures against “third countries”- which includes Faroe and Iceland- that allow “unsustainable” fishing.


Once the proposal is approved by the European Parliament and the Council, the EU will have a new “powerful tool” to discourage unsustainable fishing practices swiftly and to promote international co-operation on shared fish resources, the Commission said today.


The measures foreseen will range from restricting imports of fish products from the concerned stock as well as associated fish species to prohibiting the conclusion of chartering agreements with economic operators from countries allowing non-sustainable fishing.The framework will, say the Commission, guarantee strict respect of international law. The Commission say they will assess carefully the likely environmental, trade, economic and social effects of measures and the administrative costs of their implementation.


The countries concerned will be granted an opportunity to be heard before the measures are adopted, and to take corrective actions to avoid them. Commissioner Maria Damanaki, in charge of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: "This is a groundbreaking measure. If backed by Member States and the European Parliament, we will have for the first time an effective legal instrument to help us secure the conservation of fish stocks that the EU shares with other countries. This is of prime importance to our fishing communities and the long-term conservation of stocks - in the interest of consumers and the society at large."
Further negotiations between the EU, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland will resume next month to try to reach agreement for an international mackerel deal. In 2011 the Faroe Islands unilaterally set themselves a mackerel catch of 150,000 tonnes, up 75 per cent on 2010 and more than five times their internationally agreed share in 2009. Meanwhile, Iceland, who caught very little mackerel prior to 2008, set their own increased TAC of around 147,000 tonnes earlier this year. In 2010 mackerel was Scotland's most valuable catch, worth £113 million to the Scottish economy
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