Activities of Isabelle THOMAS related to 2016/2016(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Management of fishing fleets in the outermost regions FR
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the management of fishing fleets in the outermost regions
Amendments (36)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) recognises the specific features of the outermost regions and allows for a differentiated approach in these regions;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas in the ORs the economic crisis has been particularly felt and the fisheries sectors have to be seen against the background of particular structural, social and economic situation;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas the delay in the adoption of the EMFF regulation and in the approval of EMFF Operational Programmes and consequently the late implementation of supportive EMFF provisions has resulted in serious financial difficulties for some undertakings in the ORs;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Joined Cases C-132/14 to C-136/14 on the interpretation of Article 349 TFEU, which stresses that Article 349 allows derogations not only from the treaties but also from secondary law,
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. observes the difficulties or even impossibility for certain fishermen in the ORs to access credit and/or insurance for their vessels;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission, with a view to the next multiannual financial framework, to consider the introduction of aid for the gradual renovation of small- scale fleets in the outermost regions in order to improve safety and efficiency, as long as that does not lead to an increase in the fishing capacity of those fleets and does not undermine the budget or the sustainability of stocks;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. calls on the Commission when proposing delegated acts with regard to the criteria for calculation of additional costs resulting from the specific handicaps of ORs, to also consider the impact of climatic and geographical conditions;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. proposes increasing aid intensity for engine replacement in the ORs where scientific evidence indicates that climate conditions and climate change have a decisive negative impact on the ORs' fleets;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recommends that the future Common Fisheries Policy take full account of the specific features of the outermost regions and enable them to realise the strong economic, social and environmental potential created by the rational development of the fisheries sectors in these regions;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the fisheries sectors in the ORs have to be seen against the background of a particular structural, social and economic situation (Article 349 TFEU), which requires specific and adapted consideration of common European policies;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Proposes, therefore, the establishment of a specific fund for fisheries in the outermost regions after 2020, based on the model of the Programme of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting agriculture in these regions; recommends, in particular, that such a fund should, in compliance with the objectives of sustainable fisheries and healthy stocks, allow aid for the renewal of the fleet in these regions for artisanal and traditional fishing vessels that land their catches In the ports of the outermost regions;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. having regard to chlordecone marine pollution, which is specific to the Antilles and is having a significant impact on authorised fishing zones, as well as to the presence of invasive species;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) recognises the specific characteristics of the ORs andand the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which were designed to tackle the problems and challenges of continental Europe, allows for a differentiated approach in these regionfor the ORs but can only provide a limited response to the specific characteristics of fisheries in the ORs;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that sustainable and ‘honest’ fishing is the basis for prosperous coastal communities and contributes to food security in the ORs; insists, in this context, on the need to involve local fisheries in achieving food security for local communities, as food security in the ORs is currently too dependent on imports;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that the common fisheries policy and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), designed to tackle the problems and challenges of continental Europe, can only provide a limited response to the specific characteristics of fisheries in the ORs, that they cannot be uniformly applied to the challenges and specific characteristics of fisheries in the ORs and that they must be allowed a degree of flexibility and pragmatism or be subject to derogations; calls also for the development of a strategy for each regional sea basin tailored to the specific situation of each of the outermost regions;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that marine biological resources around the ORs should be especially protected and hencethat particular attention should be paid to fishing; stresses, therefore, that only fishing vessels registered in OR ports arshould be allowed to fish;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the precautionary principle should prevail as long as the balance between fishing capacity and opportunities is not evidentStresses the need to maintain the balance between fishing capacity and opportunities in accordance with the precautionary principle and taking into account socio-economic realities;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that, given the specific climatic difficulties of the ORs, fishermen in these regions have to cope with their vessels ageing more quickly, causing safety and efficiency problems and making the working conditions less attractive than on modern vessels;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the delay in the adoption of the EMFF and consequently in the approval of EMFF Operational Programmes and consequently the late implementation of supportive EMFF provisions, which has resulted in serious financial difficulties for some undertakings in the ORs;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the specific provisions for the ORs in the EMFF, such as the compensation for additional costs – which is higher than in the previous programming period but still not enough for some ORs – and the maximum public aid intensity, which is higher than for other regions;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Making better use of possibilities provided under the currentArticle 349 of the Treaty and the CFP
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for the full application of Article 349 TFEU in the European Union's policies, regulations, funds and programmes relating to fisheries, particularly in the EMFF, in order to respond to the specific difficulties encountered by the ORs;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission when proposing delegatedislative acts in respect of costs for hygiene, health and safety-related investments and investments related to working conditions, to facilitate a holistic and appropriately tailored approach;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission when proposing delegatedislative acts with regard to the criteria for calculation of additional costs resulting from the specific handicaps of ORs, to also consider the impact of climatic and geographical conditions and depredation;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Deplores the significant level of IUU fishing taking place in the ORs’ EEZEEZ of certain ORs attributable to both domestic and foreign vessels, and in surrounding sea areas in the case of others; points out that for the domestic part, such practices also result from local food supply issues;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls for genuine consideration to be given to the interests of ORs when fisheries agreements are concluded with third countries, including by laying down obligations to land catches in the ORs or to employ personnel from the ORs on vessels;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses the need to carry out impact assessments for the ORs whenever they are affected by fisheries agreements concluded between the EU and third countries, in accordance with the provisions of Article 349 TFEU;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that a rebetter structuring of the fishing sector in the ORs is needed and if necessary a reduction of the number of vessels should be considered;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that modernisation, and the development of the traditional or small- scale fishing fleet - including that which fishes for shrimps - in the ORs with the aid of public funding (European or national) is necessary, particularly because of the accelerated ageing of their vessels, which gives rise to problems with safety, compliance with European hygiene standards and efficiency, and the unsuitability of the fleet to reach the available resources or to combat IUU fishing; stresses furthermore that such restructuring will help to diversify fishing in the ORs, to improve its quality, to introduce innovation into its fishing activities and to increase efficiency; calls on the Commission therefore to eliminate all obstacles without delay in order to authorise public financing of the gradual renewal of small-scale or traditional fishing fleets - including those fishing for shrimps - of vessels which land their catches in ports in the ORs and which contribute to local, sustainable development of the fishing industry without damaging the sustainability of resources;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Requests the Member States when implementing the provision of the CFP on the allocation of fishing opportunities to consider indevote particular fishing vesselsattention to traditional or small-scale fishing, which contributes to the local economy and haves a low impact on the environment;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recalls that the ORs are dependent on the fish stocks in their EEZs, which are biologically highly vulnerable; considers, particularly in this context, that data on fishing in the ORs should be among the priorities for data gathering;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that the potential of aquaculture should be better exploited in the ORs, as it might open up new export possibilities, with strong support from the European Union, in the context of very strong regional competition;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Advocates reconsidering the fleet segmentation basis under a potential future CFP, in order to make better use of capacity limits and facilitate developmentRecommends that the future CFP take full account of the specific features of the ORs and enable them to realise the strong economic, social and environmental potential created by the sustainable and rational development of the fisheries sectors in the ORs;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Advocates not establishing a dedicated fund for the ORs, as comprehensive resources of the European Structural and Investment Funds are already availableProposes that a specific instrument for fisheries in the ORs be established as soon as possible, modelled on POSEI for agriculture and taking as a basis Regulation No 791/2007, giving consideration to the possibility of bringing together in this specific instrument, in particular, the provisions of Articles 8 (State aid), 13(5) (budget) and 70-73 (compensation plans for additional costs) of the existing EMFF in order to ensure legal certainty of compensation plans for additional costs thanks to prior approval by the Commission and long-term financing;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that modernisation may lead to increased and more diversified fishing activities; stresses that these activities must not undermine the objectives of sustainable fisheries and healthy stocksrenovation and modernisation of the ORs artisan small scale fleet, which uses highly selective fishing gears, may improve crewmen safety in adverse weather conditions, that follows scientific objective conditions of naval architecture, which do not cause unbalance between fishing opportunities and fishing capacity;