Le rapport de la Cour des comptes européenne ne reflète pas les améliorations du contrôle de la pêche de l'UE
La Cour des comptes européenne (CEA) a présenté aujourd'hui au Parlement européen un rapport spécial intitulé "Contrôles de la pêche de l'UE: plus d'efforts nécessaires". Le rapport a examiné l'efficacité du règlement actuel sur le contrôle des pêches de l'UE en vérifiant le système de contrôle mis en œuvre dans quatre États membres clés (Espagne, France, Italie et Royaume-Uni (Écosse)). La CEA a conclu que l'UE ne dispose pas encore d'un système de contrôle de la pêche suffisamment efficace pour soutenir la politique commune de la pêche (PCP). Europêche, tout en reconnaissant qu'il existe des domaines à améliorer, considère que le rapport ne reflète pas les progrès significatifs réalisés sur le contrôle et le suivi des pêches au cours des dernières années ni la situation actuelle dans l'ensemble de l'Union européenne.
In order to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the CFP, the EU adopted in 2010 an ambitious EU Regulation establishing an effective system for control, inspection and enforcement. The European Commission (EC) has acknowledged in a recent evaluation report that it is indisputable that the Control Regulation contributed to improve the fisheries control system and to step up compliance with the CFP[1]. Nevertheless, certain flaws have been identified by both the ECA and the EC, mainly due to shortcomings in the implementation by Member States (MS) and to deficiencies in the application of certain provisions, such as data exchange, sanctions, point system or traceability.
The fishing body argues that, broadly speaking, MS are implementing the core provisions of the Control Regulation preventing overfishing and poor compliance in our waters. But as with any new legal framework, time is needed to adapt to the new complex system and technologies, which may delay the application of certain provisions.
In addition, only four countries were fully audited in the ECA report. Europêche criticises the generalised conclusions and assumptions made for the whole EU based on the factual and legal situation of only four MS.
The ECA identified an alleged lack of transparency on the criteria used to allocate fishing quota within producer organisations (POs). While considering that this issue does not relate to the implementation of the Control Regulation and reminding that the membership to a PO is completely voluntary, the production and marketing plans currently developed are offering a unique opportunity to increase transparency on the allocation criteria. We welcome however the concluding positive remark from the ECA's report stating that social, economic and environmental criteria are taken into account, in conformity with the CFP objectives[2].
Europêche shares ECA’s opinion on the need to improve the monitoring of fisheries management measures, particularly for vessels less than 15 metres long. However, in order to facilitate the installation of tracking devices in small-scale fishing vessels, these should be cost-effective systems open to EU financial support.
As far as infringements are concerned, we favour ECA’s recommendation to establish a European register of infringements and sanctions. This would certainly improve transparency and help create a level-playing field in the application of the point system.
Javier Garat, President of Europêche, declared: ‘The EU Control Regulation has prompted significant changes and considerable improvements in fisheries control management. The fishermen we represent are not only widely complying with the new legislative framework, but investing in modernised monitoring systems. For instance, the utilisation of electronic and satellite monitoring systems are being expanded to other parts of the world thanks to the exchange of good practices undertaken by our operators. These efforts, coupled with the EU and MS’ support, allow us to proudly say that the EU fishing fleet is the best monitored and controlled in the world.’
Garat continued: ‘EU Governments are also taking this issue seriously prosecuting operators involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing around the world[3]. Even NGOs have publicly recognised the efforts made by Spain (country audited in ECA’s report) to deter illegal fishing practices worldwide. It is frustrating that these positive trends are not reflected in the special report.’
ENDS
Europêche represents the fisheries sector in Europe. Currently, the Association comprises 14 national organisations of fishing enterprises from the following 10 EU Member States: DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, MT, NL, LV, PL, UK.
Press contacts: Daniel Voces, Acting Managing Director of Europêche: +32.2.230.48.48 daniel.voces@europeche.org
[1] COM(2017) 192 final - Implementation and evaluation of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy as required under Article 118
[2] ECA special report - executive summary, page 8
[3] Learning lessons from Spain’s experience of prosecuting nationals for involvement in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing http://www.iuuwatch.eu/2017/04/learning-lessons-spains-experience-prosecuting-nationals-involvement-illegal-unreported-unregulated-iuu-fishing/
Sources: Europeche
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Tags: Réglementation de contrôle, IUU, VMS, EMS, CFP, ECA, parlement européen, PO, Quota, allocation, petits pêcheurs