2015/2093(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~the real inequity is felt by the fishermen~~any perceived inequity as regards the implementation of fisheries control in Europe cannot constitute a justification for failing to comply with existing legislation;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Supports the strengthening of cooperation between Member States through the exchange~~s between~~ of inspectors and ~~the exchange of~~ control methods, and through data and risk analysis sharing;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Recalls that Member States are responsible for implementing the Control Regulation; calls on Member States to comply with their obligations and cooperate closely with each other in order to exchange good practices and data and make interoperability of control systems possible;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Considers that a uniform and predictable application of the different types of possible inspections, through a full definition, harmonization and explanation of these inspections, would help ensure the necessary level playing field among all EU fisheries;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Points out that in certain regions, basins are managed jointly with countries outside the EU, and calls for cooperation between Member States and non-member countries to be intensified;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Believes that Member States, the European Fisheries Control Agency, and the Commission need to work in closer cooperation and coordination;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for ~~the implementation by the EFCA of a European training course for inspectors;~~uniform training curricula for fisheries inspectors in the European Union, which could be imparted by both the EFCA and training institutions in the Member States.

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for the implementation by the EFCA of a European training course for inspectors based on a common syllabus and standardised rules;

Amendment 107 #

Isabelle THOMAS, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Renata BRIANO, Nicola CAPUTO, Ulrike RODUST, José BLANCO LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for the implementation by the EFCA of a European training course for inspectors, funding for which could come from the EMFF;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls for the EFCA Core Curriculum to be translated and circulated widely, with the aid of the EMFF; proposes that this manual be embellished with examples of good practice employed by inspectors;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Proposes the improvement of training and information for fishermen, both of which could be incorporated into their professional organisations, with a view to improving their understanding of the importance of the regulations and thus inculcate a culture of respect for them; recommends in this regard that consultations with the advisory committees would be effective; proposes to create online databases for documents and information relevant to fisheries (including the penalty point system), in so far as the data protection provisions in force permit, making the regulations accessible for all to read; is of the opinion that the EMFF could contribute to these measures;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the real inequity is felt by the fishermen as regards the ~~implementation of~~way in which fisheries control i~~n Europe~~s performed in Europe as regards methods, duration and frequency;

Amendment 110 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Proposes the improvement of training ~~and information for fishermen~~for fishermen and the information provided to them about control measures, both of which could be incorporated into their professional organisations and the coastal action groups (CAGs), with a view to improving their understanding of the purpose and general importance of the regulations and thus inculcate a culture of understanding and respect for them; recommends in this regard that consultations with the advisory committees would be effective; proposes to create online databases making the regulations accessible for all to read and understand; is of the opinion that the EMFF could contribute to these measures;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Proposes the improvement of training and information for fishermen~~, both of which could be incorporated into their professional organisations,~~ with a view to improving their understanding of the importance of the regulations and thus inculcate a culture of respect for them; recommends in this regard that consultations with the advisory committees would be effective; proposes to create online databases making the regulations accessible for all to read; is of the opinion that the EMFF could contribute to these measures;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Suggests the study of an EFCA electronic based registry (EFCA single desk) with ready to print or electronic models for inspections and for the centralization of inspective reports. This EFCA electronic based registry could also be used for receiving and centralizing the capture certificates emitted by Member states and third countries;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Asks the Commission to assess existing training courses for entry to the trade of fisherman in Europe and to make its conclusions known through a communication;

Amendment 114 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO, Ulrike RODUST, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Encourages the Commission to develop control regulation application trainings for the national authorities, and underlines that Members States should make full use of these training programs;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16b. Emphasises the importance of assessing and certifying the control training initiatives provided by third parties;

Amendment 116 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Renata BRIANO, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)

16c. Proposes the improvement of public communication systems of control agencies stressing the importance of periodically disseminating the work carried out and the results obtained and permanently provide information about the rules applied to fish resources, such as minimum sizes and temporal and spatial closures;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses the necessity to strengthen the role of the EFCA, particularly its budget, skills and human resources; suggests revising the conditions of intervention referred to in Articles 94 and 95 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 ~~and to give it in particular the initiative of intervention over all species which have not reached the maximum sustainable yield (MSY)~~;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses the necessity to strengthen the role of the EFCA, particularly its budget, skills and human resources; suggests revising the conditions of intervention referred to in Articles 94 and 95 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and to give it in particular the initiative of intervention over ~~all species~~fishery resources which are overexploited and those which have not reached the maximum sustainable yield (MSY);

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Stresses the importance to reinforce and strengthen the controls especially in Member States that have so far demonstrated a poor implementation of the control regulation in order to combat illegal fishing, to comply with the rules of the CFP and to strengthen the quality of the data obtained;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas fisheries control efforts should necessarily count on the full and active participation of the fisheries sector;

Amendment 120 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Ulrike RODUST, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Reminds the importance of having the capacity to share data in real time, especially during control operation done by the Agency in conjunction with the Member States and coordinated by the Agency through joint deployment plans;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Stresses the importance of increasing the presence of EFCA close to Member States, including Outermost Regions;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Suggests that at least one representative of the European Parliament be included on the Management Board of the Agency, on which there are already six representatives from the Commission and one from each Member State;deleted

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Suggests ~~that at least one representative of the~~ European Parliament ~~be included~~representation on the Management Board of the Agency, on which there are already six representatives from the Commission and one from each Member State; this representation shall have parity of composition (equal numbers of women and men) and will be nominated by Parliament's Committee on Fisheries from among its members and ratified in a plenary session of Parliament;

Amendment 124 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Suggests that at least one representative of the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries be included on the Management Board of the Agency, on which there are already six representatives from the Commission and one from each Member State;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recommends expanding the controls to cover the entire chain of production and assigning responsibilities for control at sea to a single administrative body in order to avoid an overlapping of controls which causes unnecessary pressure; in addition, calls for formal collaboration between the institutions of the Member States so that the entire fish production chain can be effectively controlled;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recommends expanding the controls to cover the entire chain of production and assigning responsibilities for control at sea to a single administrative body in order to avoid an overlapping of controls, which ~~causes unnecessary pressure~~wastes human, logistic, and financial resources and causes confusion and unnecessary pressure on those operating in the fisheries sector;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recommends expanding the controls to cover the entire chain of production and ~~assigning responsibilities for control at sea to a single administrative body in order to avoid an overlapping of controls which causes unnecessary pressure;~~sale, all the way until the final consumer.

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recommends expanding the controls – for example extended monitoring – to cover the entire chain of production and assigning responsibilities for control at sea to a single administrative body in order to avoid an overlapping of controls which causes unnecessary pressure;

Amendment 129 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recommends expanding the controls to cover the entire chain of production and ~~assign~~ensuring, re~~sponsibilities for control at sea to a single administrative body in order to avoid an overlapping of controls which causes unnecessary pressure~~gardless of the competent body, non-discriminatory treatment based on fair rules guaranteeing the sustainability of fisheries that are tailored to the reality of each country;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas points-based system penalizes fishing ships and not ship owners, fisherman or other persons in the entire production chain;

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Asks the Commission to determine whether linking penalty points to fishing licences is pertinent; stresses that under this system points are transferred with the licence when the vessel is sold, which can reduce the value of vessels in some cases and may thus prevent their resale, for example to young fishermen wishing to start up in the business;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Recommends the adoption of specific measures with a view to achieving more aware and responsible consumption in restaurants, without ruling out a mandatory requirement for restaurateurs to provide minimum information about the products, whilst enabling consumers to exercise indirect control;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Proposes autonomous community or regional inspections for inland waters, national inspections for sea fisheries within up to 12 nautical miles and EU inspections for all other waters;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Recalls that the point system should be enlarged to all actors in the entire production chain, including retailers and vendors;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Is of the view that controls based on risk assessment should be based on transparent, specific, and measurable criteria defined at European level;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. iIs of the view that controls based on risk assessment should be based on transparent minimum criteria defined at European level;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for a standardisation of sanctions and prefers economic sanctions, including temporary suspensions of activity in the form of a ban on fishing trips, rather than penal sanctions, but also recalls the need to introduce incentives for fishermen; who comply with CFP rules;

Amendment 138 #

Linnéa ENGSTRÖM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for a standardisation of sanctions ~~and~~while keeping them at a level that is proportional, non-discriminatory and acts as a deterrent; prefers economic rather than penal sanctions, but also recalls the need to introduce incentives for fishermen;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for a standardisation of sanctions ~~and prefers economic rather than penal sanctions, but also recalls the need to introduce incentives for fisher~~; considers that preference should be given to incentives to fishermen (as referred to, for example, in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013) in order to prevent infringements;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the fisheries sector is a major stakeholder in the sustainable management of the seas and oceans;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for a standardisation of sanctions ~~and prefers economic rather than penal sanctions,~~ but also recalls the need to introduce incentives for fishermen;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for a standardisation of ~~sanctions and prefers economic rather than penal~~ sanctions, but also recalls the need to introduce incentives for fishermen;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Recalls that it is Member States that have responsibility for sanctions and that the European Union is not legally able to impose standardisation thereof via Regulation 1224/2009; points however to the importance of the points system in providing a framework for sanctions and calls on Member States to take the initiative for an extensive standardisation of sanctions, in particular penal ones, in order to put an end to inequities existing at present;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Takes the view that the by-catch system actually leads to objective and total liability for fishing operators, who are held to account even if they have acted in full compliance with the law and with the utmost diligence in order to avoid incidental catches;

Amendment 144 #

Norica NICOLAI, António MARINHO E PINTO, Nils TORVALDS, Gesine MEISSNER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Holds that the general principles of European Union law are incompatible with a system in which an individual is objectively held to account over something which he has done neither negligently nor wilfully;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to consider the development of a harmonised minimum level penalty, applicable to serious infringements and/or repetitive illegal behaviour;

Amendment 146 #

Gabriel MATO, Francisco José MILLÁN MON, Carlos ITURGAIZ, Verónica LOPE FONTAGNÉ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. advocates imposing harsher sanctions for illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries;

Amendment 147 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls for the creation of mechanisms to emphasise good examples in order to increase compliance;

Amendment 148 #

Renata BRIANO, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, José BLANCO LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Considers that the interpretation of some provisions, which include a penalty for exceeding the limit for incidental catches without even taking into account the lack of negligence or intent in having engaged in lawful conduct, clearly conflicts with the fundamental principles of the European Union, which are enshrined in Article 6 TEU, under primary law;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21c. Calls on the Commission to lay down guidelines that can be readily applied and understood, in order to prevent unequal treatment between Member States, especially where, by reporting by-catches voluntarily, fishing operators show that they have acted in good faith and that the catches were completely fortuitous;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas substantial differences exist in the application of European regulations in Member States, particularly those induced by the ‘control’ regulation, and whereas each Member State has different administrative and judicial structures, which are inevitably reflected in the systems of administrative and/or criminal penalties for failure to comply with CFP rules and in the fact that those systems lead to discrepancies and unfairness from one Member State to the next;

Amendment 150 #

Norica NICOLAI, António MARINHO E PINTO, Nils TORVALDS, Gesine MEISSNER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Is of the view that the capacity of actors to invest in modern technologies compatible ~~with each other will make controls~~from one Member State to the next will make controls fairer, more balanced, and more efficient;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Is of the view that the capacity of~~Encourages the actors to invest in modern technolog~~ies~~y and equipment, compatible with ~~each other will~~one another and easily updateable, in order to make controls more efficient;

Amendment 152 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Is of the view that ~~the capacity of actors to~~ investment in modern technologies compatible with each other will make controls more efficient;

Amendment 153 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO, Ulrike RODUST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Encourages the establishment of funding mechanisms to increase the use of low cost technologies to enable voluntary control and increase monitoring and safety of fishermen, especially in small scale artisanal fisheries;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Stresses the importance of electronic technologies (electronic reporting and electronic monitoring systems) which represent a potentially cost-effective means to widen observation of activities at sea;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. States its opposition to any mandatory video surveillance system on board;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22b. Calls the attention of the Commission that the use of new earth observing technologies, as the Sentinel satellites, would be a benefit for fisheries control;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Recommends enforcing~~Calls for the enforcement of a control equivalent to that governing imported products – so as to ensure that the entire European market has the same level of access to fisheries products, without the presence of borders affecting ease of access in any way – on shore fishing and recreational fishing as well as on the European fleet fishing in non-EU waters and on the fleets of non-EU countries fishing in European waters; proposes to make the exchange of data mandatory as regards illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU);

Amendment 158 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recommends enforcing a control equivalent to that governing imported fishery products on shore fishing and recreational fishing as well as on the European fleet fishing in non-EU waters and on the fleets of non-EU countries fishing in European waters; proposes to make the exchange of data mandatory as regards illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU);

Amendment 159 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recommends enforcing a control equivalent to that governing imported products ~~on shore fishing and recreational fishing~~ as well as on the European fleet fishing in non-EU waters and on the fleets of non-EU countries fishing in European waters; proposes to make the exchange of data mandatory as regards illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU);

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas, quite apart from the powers of each Member State and possible regional variations, substantial differences exist in the application of European regulations in Member States, particularly those induced by the ‘control’ regulation, and whereas each Member State has different administrative and judicial structures;

Amendment 160 #

Sylvie GODDYN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Recommends that the Commission suspend trade relations with third countries that have been identified under Article 31 of the IUU Regulation, namely countries that do not take the necessary steps to prevent, discourage and eliminate IUU fishing, which as flag, port, coastal or market States they are required to do under international law;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Asserts that the available budgetary resources~~, particularly under the EMFF,~~ should be consistent with the objectives of controls; operators who have infringed the rules of the CFP should not receive public funds, for instance from the EMFF;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Asserts that the available budgetary resources, particularly under the EMFF, should be ~~consistent with~~realistic, consistent, and sufficient to pursue the objectives of controls;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Recommends ensuring the continued existence, notably through EMFF funding of fish auctions vital to territories, as these contribute to transparency and traceability, and facilitate fisheries control;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Supports the inclusion of the recreational fisheries impact in the revised control regulation;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Requests the development of a data transfer and analysis system which is compatible throughout the Union; further requests that it falls to the Commission to set the framework for the exchange of data and information, in accordance with the data protection provisions in force;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Requests the development of a ~~data~~monitoring, information transfer, and data analysis system which is compatible throughout the Union; further requests that it falls to the Commission to set the framework for, and lay down the substance of, the exchange of data and information;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Stresses that implementation of the landing obligation has to be accompanied by appropriate flexibility concerning its control, as the basic changes imposed on fisheries by this obligation should be taken into account, particularly as regards multi-specific fisheries; reiterates the importance of applying progressively sanctions and the points system in the event of serious infringements linked to non-compliance with the landing obligation, in accordance with Regulation 2015/812 on implementation of the landing obligation;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Stresses that a transparent framework for the exchange of data and information is key to ascertain whether a level playing field exists;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Underlines that information on whether and how Member States are sanctioning different types of infringements, and whether sanctions are applied consistently, regardless of a vessel's flag, must be made available to stakeholders and the public, while fully respecting the privacy of those involved;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

Amendment 18 #

Liadh NÍ RIADA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas risks have been identified where national inspection authorities do not always have access to relevant data to effectively inspect foreign vessels, and that different approaches to controls and sanctions pose problems to Member States when they follow-up with flag states on detected infringements;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas these application differences are often a result of divergences between European fisheries sectors and the lack of realism displayed in certain European regulations that were drawn up with scant regard for the concrete reality of fishermen and fisherwomen;

Amendment 2 #

Gabriel MATO, Francisco José MILLÁN MON, Carlos ITURGAIZ, Verónica LOPE FONTAGNÉ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas there is a need for stricter checks on products coming into the EU from illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries and a need to guarantee an equivalent level of control on such fishing in all Member States;

Amendment 21 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and the corresponding sanctions are the responsibility of the Member States;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas some Member States lack units of specialised fisheries inspectors;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas these structures are suited to the reality in each Member State or region and should be maintained;

Amendment 24 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), which was set up in order to promote the highest common control standards under the common fisheries policy, plays an effective role in the uniform implementation of the control system;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) plays an effective role in the uniform implementation of the control system in spite of the limited resources at its disposal;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas in the reality and perception of fishermen and women certain infringements are unnecessary and disproportionate; whereas, at times, the punishment of such infringements constitutes an abuse of power;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas the discard ban has been implemented and, in practice, is unfairly harsh on fishing operators because even though the operators use tools and instruments that are permitted under EU law and use every possible means to avoid incidental catches, they may be punished for the mere fact that these catches exceed the maximum amount permitted under EU and national laws;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas the techniques and equipment used for fishing have changed and have evolved, and the systems and techniques used for monitoring need to be also updated in order to be efficient; reminds that the EMFF could be used in this sense;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas the landing obligation is a key issue as regards control, to which the legislator and the authorities responsible for control need to pay particular attention;

Amendment 3 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Ulrike RODUST

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)

– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas low cost remote tracking technologies, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), enables voluntary control and increases the ease of monitoring and safety of fishermen;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the trade in the resulting catches, are a criminal activity on a global scale;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas fish auctions play a vital role in the sea-food industry, and have a central role in controlling landed fish;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

Eb. whereas Member States have different legal systems, and that the gathered evidence have to be admissible and usable in these different systems, specific to each Member State that does the prosecution;

Amendment 34 #

Norica NICOLAI, António MARINHO E PINTO, Nils TORVALDS, Gesine MEISSNER

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)

Ec. whereas the best ally for implementing the control regulation are well trained, encouraged fishermen, who understand the benefits of these controls and actively respect them;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Stresses the importance of ensuring effective control of fisheries activities in order to guarantee sustainable exploitation of marine living resources and maintain a level playing field among EU fleets; calls on Member States to ensure effective implementation of the control regulation;

Amendment 36 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1a. Underlines that EU ambitious fight against IUU all over the world should be matched by an effective application of the control regulation in our own waters;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. underlines the di~~verse fields of application of the controls and the disparity~~scriminatory nature of fisheries controls in the European Union, given the disparity in areas of application and between different inspection sites, with some Member States organising control of equipment via the tax base and others controlling only certain links in the chain and excluding aspects relating to transport, for example;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Underlines the diverse fields of application of the controls and the disparity between different inspection sites, with some Member States organising control ~~of equipment via the tax base~~at every stage from fishing up to the time of reaching the final consumer and others controlling only certain links in the chain and excluding aspects relating to transport of catches, for example;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. uUnderlines the diverse fields of application of the controls and the disparity between different inspection sites, with some Member States organising control of equipment via the tax base and others controlling only certain links in the chain and excluding aspects relating to transport or catering, for example;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A8-0000/2016) (‘European Fisheries Control Agency’ – PECH/8/05354),

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 41 #

Linnéa ENGSTRÖM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recognises the significant improvement in the control regime brought about by the current control regulation, in combination with the IUU fishing regulation, in terms of consolidation of many previously separate regulations, the introduction of the possibility to use new technologies, preliminary steps towards harmonization of sanctions, clarification of the roles of the Commission and Member States, improvements in traceability and other advances;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that fishers acceptance of regulations is influenced by whether the implementation effects are considered fair, whether the imposed regulations are perceived as meaningful and whether there is compatibility between the regulation and the traditional fishing patterns and practices;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. considers it necessary to clarify, classify and establish standards for fishing in the different maritime areas;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. notes the need to collect and harmonise all traditional comparative rules in the various Member States for use as inspiration in drafting rules governing larger-scale segments of the fleet;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the diversity in the organisation of controls, with some Member States splitting them up between different administrations and others carrying them out under the auspices of a single body, and also notes the diversity of instruments, tools and financial resources used to effect such controls; also notes that these circumstances make it difficult to ensure transparency in management and access to information;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the diversity in the organisation of controls, with some Member States splitting them up between different administrations and others carrying them out under the auspices of a single body, and also notes the diversity of instruments, tools and human, logistic, and financial resources used to effect such controls;

Amendment 47 #

Norica NICOLAI, António MARINHO E PINTO, Nils TORVALDS, Gesine MEISSNER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that the effectiveness of controls also varies on account of the immense diversity of fishing grounds within the EU, ranging from narrow, confined zones, whose fishery resources are shared essentially by neighbouring Member States, to very distant and remote zones; maintains that the specific features of the outermost regions (ORs), whose vast and eminently oceanic exclusive economic zones (EEZs), combined with the type of fish stocks exploited (mostly deep-water species and highly migratory pelagic fishes ) and the dearth of alternative resources, clearly warrant tighter control measures in those regions, which depend greatly on fishing and are very vulnerable to the extreme harm caused by fleets known to infringe CFP rules;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Urges Member States to fully and properly implement the control regulation, in order to have a clear view of which parts need to be improved in the upcoming revision and thus to ensure a functional and easy applicable control regulation for the future as well;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes a difference in approach between controls based on ~~a calculation of risk and random check~~risk assessment and random checks on fishing activity and marketing channels for catches;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A8-0000/2016) (‘traceability of fishery and aquaculture products in restaurants and retail’ – PECH/8/05296),

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that the current complexity of technical measures: the vast number of provisions, possibly even contradictory, including multiple derogations and exceptions, disseminated in a range of different legal texts makes them difficult not only to understand, but also to control and enforce;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that most random checks are performed at the time of landing while inspections at sea reveal an apparently higher rate of infraction than those conducted on land, since they are based on risk assessment;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that, because the landing obligation for fisheries constitutes a fundamental change, the Omnibus Regulation ((EU) No 812/2015) provided for a two-year adaptation period before infringements of the landing obligation will be regarded as serious infringements; calls for that period to be extended if necessary;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that random checks in certain countries and Member States focus disproportionately on certain fleets, giving rise to feelings of unfairness among fishermen and fisherwomen;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that Member States transpose the regulations into national law differently because of the large number of optional provisions in Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; stresses the non- enforceability of some of its provisions in practice, either owing to the poor adaptability of the regulations to ~~reality~~the defining characteristics of the fisheries sector (fleet, fishing gear, fishing grounds, and target species), which vary from one Member State to another, or because of contradictions such as Article 17 of this Regulation which is open to several different interpretations by inspectors;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that Member States transpose the regulations into national law differently because of the large number of optional provisions in Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; stresses the ~~non- enforceability of~~difficulties in enforcing some of its provisions in practice, ~~either owing to the poor adaptability of the regulations to reality or because of contradictions such as Article 17 of this Regulation which is open~~which may lead to several different interpretations by inspectors;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that Member States, and sometimes regions as well, transpose the regulations into national law differently because of the large number of optional provisions in Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; stresses the non- enforceability of some of its provisions in practice, either owing to the poor adaptability of the regulations to reality or because of contradictions such as Article 17 of this Regulation which is open to several different interpretations by inspectors;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out the need for provisions on infringements to be adapted to punish only acts that truly harm the marine environment, rather than trivial infringements, thus ensuring that rules are not applied disproportionately and avoiding any abuse of power;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the level of infraction differs from one Member State to another, and that for the same infraction the sanction may be either an administrative or penal one; contends that the points-based ~~system~~fishing licence system, with points deducted for non-compliance, could be a European instrument which would serve to impose sanctions for serious infractions, but that without the necessary uniformity would aggravate an already inequitable situation entailing inequalities among operators in Member States;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the level of infraction differs from one Member State to another, and that for the same infraction the sanction may be either an administrative or penal one; calls for such differences in sanctions to be reduced; contends that the points-based system could be a European instrument which would serve to impose sanctions for serious infractions, but that without uniformity would aggravate an already inequitable situation;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas inspection forms in Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 are not harmonic among different Inspection report model, using different names for the same topics, thus creating operational difficulties in information transfer between authorities;

Amendment 60 #

Norica NICOLAI, António MARINHO E PINTO, Nils TORVALDS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the ~~level of infraction~~sanctions applied differs from one Member State to another, and that for the same infraction the sanction may be either an administrative or penal one; contends that the points-based system ~~could be~~is relevant as a European instrument ~~which would serve to impose~~able to provide a framework for sanctions for serious infractions, but that without uniformity ~~would aggravate an already~~of sanctions it simply upholds an inequitable situation;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Notes that the lack of trust and transparency between Member States is one of the key issues for the lack of data sharing regarding regulation; encourages the overcome of this situation in order to ensure and prove an equal level playing field among all fishermen;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that the EFCA ensures the application of common control, inspection and surveillance standards and facilitates operational cooperation between Member States through joint deployment plans; reiterates the importance of strengthening the EFCA’s mandate in order to set up joint fisheries control operations enabling efficient coordinated action by many local, regional and national authorities, and EU agencies performing coast guard duties at EU level;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that the implementation by the EFCA of a ‘core curriculum’ for the training of fisheries inspectors is ~~one starting~~an essential point for the standardisation of inspector training and control procedures; notes that Member States do not have, unless it is voluntarily so, the same training standards, which means that the content of qualifications, recruitment and objectives are different;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that the implementation by the EFCA of a ‘core curriculum’ for the training of fisheries inspectors is one starting point for the standardisation of ~~inspector~~ training and control procedures; notes that Member States do not have, unless it is voluntarily so, the same training standards, which means that the content of qualifications, recruitment and objectives are different;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that fishermen are trained and informed differently and that no tool simplifying or granting easier access to the ‘control’ regulation has been put in place; is of the view that this situation is a disincentive to the uniform application of this legislation; strongly encourages the implementation of these tools as soon as possible in order to avoid this disincentive to the revised regulation;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that fishermen are trained and informed differently from one Member State to another and that no tool simplifying or granting easier access toas regards the aims and substance of the ‘control’ regulation has been put in place; is of the view that this situation is a major disincentive to the desirable uniform application of this legislation;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that fishermen are trained and informed differently and that no tool simplifying or granting easier access to the ‘control’ regulation has been put in place; is of the view that this situation gives rise to a lack of awareness that is a disincentive to the uniform application of this legislation;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that even though consumers have, over the years, become more aware of the origin and identification of what they buy, thanks to a widespread awareness-raising campaign by the Commission, those same consumers are unable to obtain the appropriate information about the fish products they are served in restaurants, since there are no mandatory requirements in this final link of the commercial chain;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas last protocol of data exchange, imperative for the implementation of electronic logbooks, were completed in July 2010 and electronic logbooks were mandatory since January 2010;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that even though consumers have, over the years, become more aware of the origin and identification of what they buy, thanks to a widespread awareness-raising campaign by the Commission, they are unable to obtain the appropriate information about the fish products they are served in restaurants, since there are no mandatory requirements in this final link of the commercial chain;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Points out that fishermen encounter difficulties as regards the accessibility of data and that the regulations are for the most part inconsistent, contradictory, and complicated and difficult for fishermen to understand;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that the use of new monitoring and real-time information transmission technologies is essential to improving maritime surveillance; regrets the technical incompatibility of certain instruments used by Member States as well as the only partial sharing of databases relating to control and the resultant disparity and loss of efficiency;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that the use of new information and communication technologies is essential to improving maritime surveillance; regrets the incompatibility of certain instruments used by Member States as well as the only partial sharing of databases relating to control and the resultant loss of efficiency;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Points out that there has been no assessment of the genuine non- enforceability of certain rules due to the different technological levels of the vessels, the logistics on the ground and the organisation of the sector in different ports;

Amendment 75 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Points out that there has been no assessment of the genuine non- enforceability of certain rules, owing to the different technological levels of the vessels, the logistics on the ground and the organisation of the sector in different ports;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Stresses the need to ensure that the single market is uniform and that control requirements are complied with in an equivalent manner in the Member States with a uniform level of quality in internal and external controls within Member States and no variation depending on the border at which products enter the EU;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Is in favour of the simplification of Union legislation with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017;~~ Considers that a substantial revision of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 would not be desirable as this Regulation constitutes a sound European framework; considers nonetheless that simplification and targeted amendments would be welcome in order to render controls more uniform and establish a balance between flexibility and fairness;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is in favour of the simplification of Union legislation with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017, provided that this simplification does not entail watering down the highest standards of protection concerning labour, the environment, trade unions or society;

Amendment 79 #

Linnéa ENGSTRÖM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is in favour of the simplification of Union legislation with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017 while retaining effective rules able to prevent, detect and punish infringements of the CFP;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas there is real inequity or it is felt by the fishermen as regards the ~~implementation of fisheries control in Europe~~regularity, severity, thoroughness, and effectiveness of fisheries control in Europe and as regards the differences in administrative and/or criminal penalties;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is in favour of the simplification of Union legislation with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’~~, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017~~;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is in favour of the simplification of Union legislation and a reduction in the administrative burden with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is in favour of the simplification and improvement of Union legislation with a view to achieving ‘better lawmaking’, in particular through the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, scheduled for 2017;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Considers that a sound and harmonised control system is needed for the regionalisation envisaged in the new CFP; is firmly opposed to the ‘Control’ Regulation being weakened or regionalised in any way and believes that the existing framework already provides sufficient flexibility, which it is the responsibility of Member States to use;

Amendment 85 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Renata BRIANO, Ulrike RODUST, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Demands that the European institutions work together with the fisheries sector in this review, particularly in the field of traditional small-scale coastal fishing, which any new legislation should seek to safeguard and promote;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Emphasises the need to discuss with the different national, outermost regions and regional authorities when creating or revising legal instruments;

Amendment 87 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. States that while further harmonisation of controls may be achieved with difficulty through EU legislation, closer cooperation between Member States would be a better way; stresses the importance in this regard of the Expert group on compliance with the obligations under the Union fisheries control system;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Recalls the Commission for the need to create the legal and operative environment before implementing mandatory rules, avoiding paradoxical situations;

Amendment 89 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Renata BRIANO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that the Commission should attend to the uniform transposition of the Regulation and verify the state of implementation of existing legislation; believes furthermore that control procedures should be transparent and standardised, allowing to put Member States on an equal footing for the control of their fishermen; and that the rules for control should be simpler, comprehensive and consistent;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas there is real inequity or it is felt by the fishermen as regards the implementation of fisheries control in Europe and the need for equal and non- discriminatory treatment;

Amendment 90 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that the Commission should attend to the uniform transposition of the Regulation and verify the state of implementation of existing legislation, such as by establishing a minimum percentage of consignments to be checked by each Member State; believes furthermore that control procedures should be transparent and standardised;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that the Commission should attend to the uniform and accurate transposition of the Regulation and verify the state of implementation of existing legislation; believes furthermore that control procedures should be transparent, even-handed, and standardised;

Amendment 92 #

Gabriel MATO, Francisco José MILLÁN MON, Carlos ITURGAIZ, Verónica LOPE FONTAGNÉ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that the Commission should attend to the ~~uniform~~ transposition of the Regulation and verify the state of implementation of existing legislation; believes furthermore that control procedures should be transparent and standardised;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Advocates a strengthening of controls to prevent the importation of fish from illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries by, among other measures, setting up national intelligence teams staffed with specialised fishing inspectors, who are best qualified to detect risks, and establishing a minimum percentage of consignments that must be checked;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Given the limitations of the resources for fisheries control and enforcement in the EU, it will be important to ensure the support from the fishers to the control regulation to create a higher degree of voluntary compliance behaviour among fishers;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. There is a need for collection, management and use of good quality data regarding the landing obligation, in order to control and assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the landing obligation and to bring data collection in line with the requirements resulting from the revised CFP;

Amendment 96 #

José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Renata BRIANO, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Supports the strengthening of cooperation between Member States through exchanges between inspectors and the exchange of control methods, data and risk analysis; stresses that an increase in the number of inspections based on risk analysis could reduce the pressure of inspections on other fishermen;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. SCalls for the Member States to set up teams of specialised fishing inspectors supports the strengthening of cooperation between Member States through exchanges between inspectors and the exchange of control methods, data and risk analysis;

Amendment 98 #

Liadh NÍ RIADA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Supports ~~the strengthening of~~increased cooperation between Member States ~~through exchanges between inspectors and the exchange of control methods, data and risk analysi~~and their respective sea fishery authorities, in particular exchanges between inspectors and shared information on individual quotas of flagged vessels;

Amendment 99 #