51 Amendments of João FERREIRA related to 2019/2161(INI)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the objectives of the common fisheries policy (CFP) aims toinclude ensureing that fishing and aquaculture are sustainable in the long term and that this sustainability is based on three pillars – environmental, social and economic; whereas the centralisation of fisheries management and Member States' loss of sovereignty under the CFP has put up barriers to the requisite local management, which is essential to ensuring that the sector is socio- economically viable;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the fishing sector plays a key role in supplying fish to the public and keeping food balances in equilibrium in the Member States and the EU, and whereas it plays a major role in the socio- economic well-being of coastal communities, to local development, to employment, to the maintenance and creation of upstream and downstream economic activities, and to the preservation of local cultural traditions;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas it is necessary to allow for the marked differences in fleets, fleet segments, target species, fishing gear, productivity, consumer preferences, and per capita fish consumption in the Member States, in addition to the specific features of the fishing industry owing to its social structure, the forms of marketing, and the structural and natural inequalities among fishing regions;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas, despite the increase in the number of incidents, the number of fatalities arising from accidents and incidents on fishing vessels has shown a downward trend, with the vast majority of incidents being the result of human factors (62.4%) and system/equipment failures being the second most common cause (23.2% of incidents); whereas these issues concerning safety and accidents in fishing cannot be viewed separately from issues concerning fish yield;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas in 2019, 64.9% of the EU28 fishing fleet was at least 25 years old1, and the average age of the fleet as a whole was 29.9 years2, which means a very large portion of the fleet is old and cannot be relied on to provide the best operating and safety conditions, increasing risks and making operations more onerous; 1 On the basis of the ratio of vessels more than 25 years old versus the total number of vessels: https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/s ubmitViewTableAction.do 2 https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/facts_figure s_en?qt-facts_and_figures=2
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ia. whereas matters of safety cannot be viewed separately from the characteristics of fishing fleets in the Member States, which are largely small- scale fleets; whereas sailing circumstances vary for that fleet; whereas part of that fleet operates from beaches or ports and harbours from which sailing conditions are very often precarious; whereas this situation must provide the opportunity to increase propulsion power to a level appropriate to the fleet's characteristics and to sea conditions, which does not necessarily increase fishing effort, with a view to making conditions for the fleet upon entering and exiting the sea; whereas increases to engine power on these grounds must be eligible for grants; whereas, for these reasons, EMFAF support should also be available for port and harbour dredging operations;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the lack of standardisaimited cooperation among Member States with regard to the mutual recognition inof certification and basic training for fishers, as well as in their recognition among Member States, was identified as a constraint two decades ago, and whereas few developments have been made;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas although these and other problems are recognised, the causes of the worsening socio-economic situation in the fisheries sector have, in many cases, still to be tackled, including the inadequate pricing of fish at first sale;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)
Recital M b (new)
Mb. whereas earnings are very unequally distributed between industrial fisheries on the one hand, which tend to take a more rapacious approach to resources, and small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries on the other; whereas increased earnings from fisheries can provide a major incentive for reducing catches, thus contributing to more sustainable resource management;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M c (new)
Recital M c (new)
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M d (new)
Recital M d (new)
Md. whereas the revenue generated and the salaries earned by fishing professionals are insecure, given the way in which the sector does business, the manner in which first-sale prices are set, and the irregular nature of fishing and, as a result, the sector must continue to be supported by the requisite national and EU public funding;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M e (new)
Recital M e (new)
Me. whereas earnings from small-scale fisheries have been falling significantly owing to a substantial increase in operation costs, specifically in fuel costs, often making an increase in fishing effort necessary;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M f (new)
Recital M f (new)
Mf. whereas, despite their objectives, successive reforms of the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO), particularly the aquaculture market, have not helped as they should have done to improve earnings in the sector, secure market stability, improve the marketing of fisheries products or increase their added value;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M g (new)
Recital M g (new)
Mg. whereas the current sales dynamic does not make it possible for fluctuations in production factor costs, fuel costs included, to be passed on in fish prices, and whereas average first-sale prices have not kept pace with the trend in end consumer prices;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M h (new)
Recital M h (new)
Mh. whereas the fisheries sector plays an important role in the socio-economic situation, in employment and in the promotion of economic and social cohesion in the outermost regions, areas with economies that face permanent structural constraints and few opportunities for economic diversification;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M i (new)
Recital M i (new)
Mi. whereas the special characteristics and constraints of the outermost regions need to be acknowledged and taken into account when adopting measures, particularly measures relating to the fisheries sector;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Takes the view that a CFP reform is needed that delivers the Member States' sovereignty over their exclusive economic zones, promoting decentralised and local fisheries management and modernisation of the fisheries sector, with the aim of safeguarding its socio-economic viability;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the information made available by different bodies seems to demonstrate an ageing of EUMember States' fishing crews, but that, as with fisheries management and adaptation of measures taken, the management, monitoring and implementation of actions should be differentiated on the basis of geographical area, fishing fleets and, in some circumstances, fishing gear used;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that professional maritime activities in general are considered high risk and dangerous, particularly fishing, and this situation is made worse by the fact that 85% of EU vessels are small-scale coastal vessels (less than 12 m in total length) and are, therefore, exposed to greater risks caused by adverse weather conditions and by operating close to shore; points out that the risks associated with fishing cannot be seen separately from the advanced age of a significant part of the fleet;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the ultimate goal of the CFP is to make fishing activity socially, environmentally and economically sustainable, and that only with goodTakes the view that the objectives of a fisheries policy should include supplying fish to the public and developing coastal communities, promoting employment and improving fishers' living standards, with better working, living and safety conditions, will it be possibleth a view to attracting young people and achieveing the generational renewal of this activity, which provides EU citizens with healthy foodle paying heed to the sustainability and proper conservation of fishery resources;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the best safety, work and living standards are in place on fishing vessels, regardless of their size; proposes that steps be taken to establish basic legal rules applicable in a uniform and cross-cutting manner to the entire EU fishing fleet, taking into account specific characteristics concerning vessel size and the types of fishing operation for which vessels are intended;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that in other areas of maritime activity, both recreational and professional, major developments have been made towards international recognition of training, irrespective of the country in which it is obtained, and all that is needed is for basic training to be standardised andcooperation to be stepped up with a view to the recognition of basic training provided by schools or educational institutions which are part of the internationally recognised national education systems of each Member State or third country;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that, while European funding has been invested in teaching establishments and schools providing advanced vocational training and certification in the blue economy, its oldest sector of activity, fisheries, still has difficulty in gaining acceptance in such establishments, except under regional or national training or training programmes, in the absence of Europeanand cooperation between Member States needs to be stepped up with a view to boosting the recognition of training given;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to establish common bases for aep up cooperation with regard to standard training and certification systems for the various categories of fishermen, allowing rapid recognition at European levelwith a view to the recognition among Member States of the certification obtained in a given Member State; considers that this should include a procedure for the recognition of certificates obtained outside the Union compatible with the European training recognition system, facilitating the movement of fishermen within the EUEuropean Union;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Points out that, while the aim of the EMFAF is to contribute to the full implementation of the CFP, in order to achieve this objective, fishermen must be properly trained and certified, requiring a portion of the funding to be earmarked for the training and certification of Member States' existing and incoming EU fishermen;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Promoting earnings from fishing, professional fishing activity and generational renewal in the sector
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Recalls that the European Union, the largest single market in fisheries products, accounts for only 6% of total world catches, being highly dependent on fishery and aquaculture imports from third countries;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Considers it necessary to increase earnings from fishing as part of the strategy of making resource management more sustainable and that this goal can be achieved by increasing the commercial value of fish and through fleet renewal and rationalisation;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Paragraph 36 b (new)
36b. Points to the need for ambitious revision of the COM for fishery products with a view to increasing its contribution to the sector's income, market stability, improved marketing of fishery products and an increase in their added value;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 c (new)
Paragraph 36 c (new)
36c. Stresses that the continuous fall in EU support for the sector under successive multiannual financial frameworks, and in particular the cut in funding for the European Fisheries Fund/European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the COM, is one of the factors which has been serving to worsen the situation in the sector; reiterates, therefore, that the EU's financial support for the fisheries sector needs to be stepped up considerably;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 d (new)
Paragraph 36 d (new)
36d. Calls for systems to be set up that improve first-sale prices, so as to benefit fishers by increasing the reward for their work, and promoting fair and proper distribution of added value along the sector's value chain by reducing operating margins, raising the prices paid to producers, and limiting the prices paid by end consumers;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 e (new)
Paragraph 36 e (new)
36e. Calls, with a view to distributing added value more fairly and properly along the sector's value chain, for consideration to be given to forms of intervention along the lines of guarantee prices or maximum profit rates in order to achieve the above aim and improve fishermen's incomes; reiterates that when there are serious imbalances within the chain, Member States should have the power to intervene, for instance by setting maximum operating margins for each agent in the chain;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 f (new)
Paragraph 36 f (new)
36f. Highlights the need for production costs to be one of the variables to take into account when determining guide prices;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 g (new)
Paragraph 36 g (new)
36g. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take the action needed to maintain and boost systems and means of support, including funding, in order to promote concentration of supply, including by providing real support for the establishment and operation of POs, particularly for small-scale coastal and artisanal fishing;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 h (new)
Paragraph 36 h (new)
36h. Stresses that operational programmes must encourage POs – by providing the requisite financial support – to market their products directly, working within the value chain, as a means to enhance the value of their production and boost the added value of fishery products;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 i (new)
Paragraph 36 i (new)
36i. Calls on the Commission, working in close cooperation with the Member States, to establish and implement support mechanisms for small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries that make it possible to tackle the specific problems in this part of the sector;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 j (new)
Paragraph 36 j (new)
36j. Stresses the importance of setting up home markets for traditional products of particular quality, to be backed up by fairs, small businesses, and the catering industry, as this would enhance the added value of local products and promote local development;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 k (new)
Paragraph 36 k (new)
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 l (new)
Paragraph 36 l (new)
36l. Points out that the fisheries sector is central to the socio-economic situation, employment, and the promotion of economic and social cohesion in the ORs, whose economies are affected by permanent structural constraints and which have few possibilities for economic diversification; considers it essential, therefore, to maintain and step up EU support for the fisheries sector in those regions, with a view, in particular, to offsetting the additional costs of remoteness when it comes to selling certain fishery products from some ORs; points to the specific features of fisheries sector value chains in the ORs and maintains that special support is needed in order to strengthen them and facilitate access to markets, an aim that could be achieved by not only re-establishing a POSEI scheme for fisheries but also by establishing a POSEI scheme for transport geared towards setting up and operating particular trade routes;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses the need to ensure the continuity of fishing activity, generational renewal and greater social recognition for this sector and its importance for the sustainable supply of healthy food for Europeapopulations that come from environmentally sound habitats;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Observes that, given the right training and specific skills, fishermen could contribute even more to the advancement of scientific knowledge through the in situ collection and registration of environmental data, providing verification of that obtained by remote observation using satellites and other instruments; in 2019, the Community fleet, consisting of over 81 000 fishing vessels of all sizes, provided an incomparable number of platforms constantly collecting fishing and other marine data on an almost daily basis; this is a facility that can and should be used forbe involved in the collection of even more data regarding the seas of Europe and the worldin which Member State fleets operate;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Stresses the importance of ocean literacy, which must not exclude digital literacy and digitisation of fishing activity; despite improved skills among older users, software applications are easier and more intuitive for younger generations when it comes to collecting and registering data under the new Fisheries Control Regulation, which is currently under review, or utilising new applications and equipment to improve the safety, working conditions and wellbeing of fishermen at sea;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Points out that improvements in the conservation status of fish stocks have boosted fishermen’s productivity and average earnings, as well as achieving a reduction infishermen have helped to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions; notes that fishermen have been increasingly involved in the collection of all marine refuse, including but not only lost or abandoned fishing gear, and that their ecological contribution in this respect should be recognised and encouraged;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Reiterates the need, as a means to protect earnings from fishing, to provide the sector and its workers with proper economic and social compensation to offset the resource conservation measures being imposed or temporary cessation assistance for the purposes of resource management; proposes, to this end, that the EMFAF support the establishment of a wage compensation fund that makes up for all lost earnings and covers non- fishing periods and that such periods be treated as actual working time for the purposes of the retirement pension and other social security entitlements; supports, further, the establishment of a guaranteed minimum wage;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Considers that attention and support should be particularly focused on small-scale fisheries, which are potentially less predatory and more sustainable, not only in terms of biological resource management but also from a socio-economic point of view;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Considers that generational renewal and diversification of activities remain a challenge, and the EMFAF should take steps to promote vocational training and career development, and to increase incomes and job security;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Points out that the need to improve on-board working, living and safety conditions, the difficulties regarding the recognition of fishery certificates, the obstacles to the movement of fishermen between Member States and the need for manpower in this sector are factors encouragpromoting the arrivalhiring of third- country fishermen who are, in many cases, employed illegally;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to raise public awareness in Europe, particularly among younger generations, of the importance of fishing activities and the contribution made by of fishermen to their food supply in Europe and the conservation of oceans and marine life, thereby debunking the preconception that fishermen are predators interested only in exploiting resources with no thought for the future;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Concludes that generational renewal must take into account the objectives of the European Green Deal and the need to ensure digital transition in the blue economy also; this means not onlyneed to attracting young people to fishing but also ensuring that they are informed and properly trained, offering them attractive career prospects and the opportunity to improve their personal situation and contribute to the cohesion of their local communities, especially in the most isolated coastal regions and with fewer job opportunities, enabling them to work for economic, social and environmental change in these areas, while enhancing the role of women in this sector through enhanced mobility and employment opportunities throughout the EU without difficulties or restrictions regarding recognition of their skills and training;