B4-0942, 0946, 0948 and 0961/95

Resolution on the use of drift nets

The European Parliament,

-having regard to Regulation No 345/92 which prohibits the use of drift nets with an individual or total length of more than 2.5 km,

-having regard to previous resolutions on the conservation of fisheries resources,

A.whereas the tuna campaign in the Atlantic has begun and whereas in previous years it was accompanied by unfortunate conflicts which must be avoided this year,

B.having regard to the importance of the policing carried out by the Member States in close coordination with the activities of the Commission,

C.whereas the Commission made a statement to Parliament on 29 June 1995 on fishing for tuna in the Atlantic,

D.whereas Parliament voted, on 29 September 1994, in favour of a ban on the use of drift nets, irrespective of length,

1.Approves the Commission's decision to adopt additional control measures to ensure full compliance with the regulation;

2.Welcomes the code of practice of Member States to inspect fishing gear at the port before departure to the tuna grounds, and calls upon all Member States to comply fully with this code;

3.Calls on the Member States to cooperate with the control and inspection measures drawn up by the Commission, and to take full responsibility for regulating the behaviour of their own fleets;

4.Welcomes the announcement that a Commission vessel is to be sent to back up national inspection operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and thus ensure that the verification will proceed in as open a fashion as possible;

5.Calls on the Commission to lay special emphasis on the identification of nets and the control of free-floating nets;

6.Calls on the Commission to introduce mechanisms making it possible to take action on Parliament's position in favour of banning the use of drift nets;

7.Calls on the Commission to report back to Parliament within two months of the end of the current season on the control and surveillance measures implemented;

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