11 Amendments of Anja HAZEKAMP related to 2023/2030(INI)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes with concern that the European eel remains classified as a Critically Endangered species with a declining population trend on the IUCN red list; expresses its full support for all conservation and protection measures necessary to restore eel populations; highlights the ICES advise to reduce eel catches to zero; is worried that, despite imposing a partial closure, eel fisheries have still been permitted in 2023, which has been further endangering the species;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reaffirms the Eel Regulation’s objective of the recovery of the eel stock to 40 % compared to pristine conditions and its main aim of reducing mortality so as to allow for this recovery; advises that it is essential to focus on the short-term achievable mortality target in order to reach the long-term biomass objective; highlights the fact that ‘pristine conditions’ can be hard to define; points out that the 40 % target is likely to be unachievable because of habitat losses, but that it is the standard for deriving the mortality reduction target;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the decline in stock has halted since the adoption of the Eel Regulation, indicating that the Eel Regulation is showing positive preliminary results, but that recoverydespite the adoption of the Eel Regulation 16 years ago, according to the latest ICES assessment the status of European Eel remains critical, with eel recruitment remaining at a very low level and populations sizes considered likely to be wiell be a long-term process over several decades; low potential biological limit reference points; calls on the Commission and on the Member States to take additional measures, such as a full closure of eel fisheries as adviced by ICES.
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that managing the eel stock is too complex for a one-sided marine- oriented approach; highlights the fact that focusing on annual fishing opportunities does not take into accountimportance of following the best available scientific catch advices, in particular in the case of eel, as according to ICES fisheries make up for more than 50% of anthropogenic eel mortality in 29 of 62 Eel Management Units, where data for fishing and hydropower mortality was reported; stresses the importance of also addressing important factors such as migration barriers, habitat quality and illegal catches and trade; underlines that the Eel Regulation is holistic and comprehensive, captures both the marine and freshwater life stages of the eel and addresses both fisheries and non- fisheries impacts; points out, in addition, that non-fisheries impacts may be bigger than the fisheries impacts and that far too little attention has been given thus far to non-fishery anthropogenic mortalities; is of the opinion thatbut acknowledges that further measures taken outside of the context of the Eel Regulation undermine the coherence of adopted policy; deplores, therefore, Council Regulation (EU) 2023/194 of 30 January 2023 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters, as well as fixing for 2023 and 2024 such fishing opportunities for certain deep-sea fish stocks, restricting eel fisheries with a 6-month closing periodmay be necessary in order to restore eel populations;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for an evaluation of the Eel Management Plans by ICES for their conformity with the precautionary approach, to increase coherence with the overarching objectives for the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation (EU) 1380/2013, Article 2)
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights the important role that eel fisheries play in society, with eel fishing being both a socio-economic activity and a cultural, centuries-old traditionplay in ecosystems as well as their intrinsic value; considers that eel fishing has reduced significantly in the past decade; calls on the Commission and the Member States to refrain as much as possible from placing further restrictions on fisheries; underlines that fishers have an important role to play as guardians and ‘eyes and ears’, while a full closure of fisheries could lead to more illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; points out that eel fisheries carry out a small-scale, artisanal activity and are often located in remote areas, where fishers play an important environmental and social roletain fisheries restrictions as well as other measures as long as needed to ensure healthy eel populations; Highlights that it is scientifically well-established that in marine systems, fishing has had the most impact on biodiversity (target species, non-target species and habitats) in the past 50 years alongside other significant drivers of biodiversity loss; points out that eel fisheries carry out a small-scale, artisanal activity and are often located in remote areas, where fishers play an important social role; reminds that globally small-scale fisheries account for more than 90 per cent of commercial fishers and nearly half of global fish catch;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. ReaffirmNotes that restocking is one of the recovery measures listed under Article 2(8) of the Eel Regulation; is of the view that restocking is a necessary measure until the problem of migration barriers is solved adequately; calls on the Member States to continue the practice of restocking; highlights the fact that, although the contribution of restocking to stock recovery at an internpopulational level cannot be ascertained, it can have positive effects at local level; is of the opinnotes that the Commission evaluation questioned thate long-term use of restocking ias a way of spreading and limiting risks for the recovery of the stock, considering the increasing drought that is causing problems in rivers throughout Europe; points out, furthermore, that catchesconservation measure given its uncertain contribution to spawner escapement and subsequent recruitment, as well as the risks involved, and should be phased out if natural recruitment and spawner escapement improves; points out, furthermore, that at least 60% of glass eel catches should be used for restocking areunder the eel regulatively low (2-3 % of all glass eels); stresses that glass eel catches are crucial for the European aquaculture sector and recognises the important role of aquaculture in restockingon but this target was only reached in 2014; stresses that the ICES advice for 2023 includes a zero catch of all life stages including glass eels for restocking and aquaculture;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the fact that improved transparency and traceability for caught glass eels is an important way of combating IUU practices and that certification schemes are an important tool to ensure the legality of catches; calls on the Member States to make public their restocking plans so that illegal trade flows of glass eels can be better identified and targeted;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Points out that there is a disconnect between the implementation of the Eel Regulation and the ICES annual advice on fishing opportunities, since the latter is based on the glass eel and yellow eel recruitment trends and not on the escapement of silver eel (40 % target); calls for this to be harmonised;