EJF applauds the European Parliament, which has voted to adopt a non-binding report on the proposal for a regulation establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The report was adopted with an incredible 624 votes in favour, with only 12 against and 8 abstentions.
Crucially MEPs voted that the proposed regulation must apply to European vessels as well as those of third countries. EJF has strongly advocated that the compliance of European vessels is fundamental to the success of an IUU regulation, and strongly agrees with the statements of the parliament’s rapporteur Marie-Hélène AUBERT that "if the provisions of the IUU regulation are not applicable to EU vessels, then it will be claimed, with justification, that the EU allows itself the privilege of conducting IUU fishing while it criticises others". The Parliamentary report also stipulates that catch certification, which would allow for a better traceability of fish products, must continue to be a pillar of the regulation. The fishing industry has complained that such a system would be too complex – but as EJF investigations have shown international fisheries and the supply chain taking fish from boat to plate is already a complex business. Fish caught illegally in West Africa pass through multiple vessels, ports, borders, processors and middlemen before reaching the consumer, offering opportunities for legal and illegal catches to be mixed – and effectively laundering pirate fish into the market. These conditions necessitate an effective and comprehensive system of traceability. MEPs also voted in favour of harmonized penalties throughout the EU, and that these are of sufficient severity to be dissuasive, instead of a being seen as simple cost of doing business. As noted by the rapporteur, IUU vessels tend to concentrate on the most lucrative fisheries (for instance bluefin tuna, cod) and it is necessary that sanctions are high enough to dissuade potential pirate operators from doing business. EJF is also applauds Parliament’s demand that the Commission, within three months of the entry into force of the IUU regulation, publish an analysis of its probable impact on developing countries and a proposal for the funding of specific programmes to support its implementation and eliminate possible negative impacts. EJF campaigner Duncan Copeland said: “EJF investigations have clearly shown the impacts of illegal fishing on developing countries, particularly in West Africa, and we applaud the MEP’s commitment to end illegal fishing. Strong support for developing nations to address pirate fishing in their own waters, while still allowing them access to the lucrative European market, must be key elements of a European IUU regulation”. EJF is now calling on the European Council, made up of the Fisheries Ministers of all EU member countries, to listen to the strong message that has been sent by the European Parliament, and vote in favour of the Commission's proposed regulation at their meeting on June 23-24. TAKE ACTION NOW. Click here http://www.ejfoundation.org/page198.html) to send a letter to all 27 Fisheries Ministers in the EU demanding that they take action to address IUU fishing before it’s too late! |
