Mr President, first of all I would like to welcome the report; although it is not one hundred per cent perfect from an ecological point of view, we really welcome it. The ban on drift-nets is not against fishing as such, but against fishing as it is so often conducted without any consideration for the irreversible damage being done to the marine environment. This approach has led to crashes in stocks, collapse in fisheries and untold environmental destruction.

Concern about the deepening global fisheries crisis was voiced recently by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It warned that unless industrial fishing fleets are controlled through national and international laws, the social and economic consequences for the world's fishing industry would be disastrous. FAO warned of food shortages in the coastal communities of developing countries where the nutritional role of seafood is critical and fisheries provide many jobs.

All around the world fish stocks are under serious pressure. Many fishing communities are in dire straits with fewer and fewer fish to catch. Many marine eco-systems have been profoundly disrupted as a result of the relentless pursuit of fish with potentially irreversible consequences. Tensions are mounting amongst fleets of competing nations, as was seen from the events this summer which sparked off a wave of at-sea confrontations pitting fishermen and nations against each other in situations where military force has been used, vessels seized and even shots fired. It is now clear that the regulation of drift-net fishing by means of limiting net length is impossible. Violations are blatant and widespread. There have even been accusations of collusion between fleets and surveillance vessels of the same nationality. The only logical and effective way to regulate drift-nets is to ban them, particularly in the high seas.

The argument that drift-nets are selective is totally without credibility. The only thing which can be selected is where to fish. After that the result is clear. In 1993 46% of sperm whales stranded on the Spanish Mediterranean coast were totally wrapped in drift nets. Over 85 species are reported to be caught by drift nets. These include sharks, blue-fin tuna, squid, sea turtles, sea birds and marine mammals. The Spanish fishermen have threatened to convert to drift-nets. By-catches which have been increasing as rapidly as the drift-net catch of Albacore would skyrocket if the Spanish were to convert since their fleet numbers over 700 vessels. If these converted to drift-nets then the EU drift-net fleet would be over 800 in number. A fleet of this size would be catastrophic not just for the Albacore stock, but also for other by-catch species. Most of the by-catches are discarded. Greenpeace even witnessed the discarding of blue-fin tuna, which just goes to show the insanity of this whole situation. Many dis

carded species are the target of other fisheries and this causes unknown harm, not just to the stocks but to the fisheries dependent upon them. Can you imagine the result if the EU drift-net fleet numbers over 800?

Solutions in terms of alternatives for reconversion and financial compensation are actually being provided. However, the responsibility for the socio-economic consequences of restrictions actually lie at the door of the governments who have encouraged these policies and subsidies without any regard for the long-term consequences. This has nothing to do with national interests. People will talk about the fact that the Spanish have a national vested interest here, but at the end of the day the interest actually comes down to protecting the eco-system within the marine environment. The only way this can actually be done is through the precautionary principle. There is absolutely no point in trying to solve the problem after the destruction is done, and destruction is being done at an irreversible rate. Unless we actually take steps now to close the door before any more damage is done, then I am afraid that from an economic point of view for fishermen it is just going to be impossible. Irish fishermen are compla

ining about the ban on drift-nets. As an Irish person myself I just cannot understand their arguments because if the Spanish start to use drift-nets there is no way that the Irish fishermen could compete with this huge fleet. So I think it is in the interest of all fishermen and of the people who depend on this for a livelihood that restrictions are put in place immediately.

I really welcome this report. It is a very positive step in the interests of the future.