B4-0430/94

Resolution on the recent agreement on NAFO fisheries quotas for 1995

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the agreements reached at the annual NAFO meeting, held in Halifax-Dartmouth (Canada) from 19 to 23 September 1994,

B.whereas the aim of the meeting was to review the current situation with regard to the most important fisheries in the area beyond the 200-mile zone off the Canadian coast (the NAFO Zone), set the total allowable catches (TACs) for the main species for 1995 and establish the means of monitoring and managing these fisheries,

C.whereas this year's discussions centred on the regulation of fishing for Greenland halibut, which, the NAFO Scientific Council recommended, as a precautionary measure with regard to catch levels and the fishing activity, should not exceed a total of 40 000 tonnes in 1995,

D.whereas, despite these recommendations, which favoured the establishment of a precautionary catch level, rather than the setting of a TAC, it was finally agreed, with Canada's support, to set a TAC of 27 000 tonnes for Greenland halibut,

E.whereas the Commission, having first proposed a TAC of 40 000 tonnes, then accepted the above-mentioned TAC of 27 000 tonnes and raised no objections thereto, despite the adverse impact which its action could have on the Community fleet,

F.whereas it was decided to fish for Greenland halibut intensively following a series of experimental fishing expeditions financed by the EU, with the aim of finding a solution to the shortage of fishing-grounds for the Community fleet of refrigerator ships,

G.whereas the Community fleet engaged in this type of fishing comprises some 45 high-tech refrigerator ships, which currently catch some 45 000 tonnes of Greenland halibut each year in NAFO waters, and whereas 1250 jobs depend directly on this sector, and around 7500 indirectly,

1.Deeply regrets the Commission's action, which represents a clear abdication of its responsibility for defending the Community's fishing interests at the annual NAFO meeting;

2.Takes the view that the Community delegation should have raised objections to the proposal for a TAC of 27 000 tonnes of Greenland halibut, which has no valid scientific basis, given that this is the first time that a TAC below that recommended by the NAFO Scientific Council has been fixed under NAFO's auspices;

3.Calls, therefore, on the Commission to argue before the next Fisheries Council on 23 November 1994 that objections should be raised to agreements of this nature and that they should not, therefore, be ratified;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.