Activities of Gabriel MATO related to 2021/2016(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Future of fisheries in the Channel, North Sea, Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean (debate)
Amendments (43)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 of 25 October 2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing1a, _________________ 1a OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 34–37.
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
— having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1203 of 19 July 2021 amending Regulation (EU) 2020/1706 as regards inclusion of autonomous Union tariff quotas for certain fishery products1b, _________________ 1b OJ L 261, 22.07.2021, p. 1–3.
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 c (new)
Citation 1 c (new)
— having regard to the Treaty on the Archipelago of Spitsbergen (Svalbard), signed in Paris on 9 February 1920,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the UN Agreement of 4 August 1995 for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks1c, _________________ 1cUN Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, signed in New York on 4 August 1995,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (‘the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’)5Agreement’)5 and, in particular, Part 2, Heading 5 thereof ('Fisheries'), _________________ 5 OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10.
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to its Resolution of 28 April 2021 on the outcome of EU- UK negotiations (2021/2658(RSP)) and the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries in the form of a letter of 4 February 2021,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
— having regard to its Recommendation of 18 June 2020 on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2020/2023(INI)) and the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries of 26 May 2020,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 c (new)
Citation 4 c (new)
— having regard to its Resolution of 12 February 2020 on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2020/2557(RSP)),
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to the proposal for a Brexit Adjustment Reserve put forward by the European Commission on 25 December 2020 (2020/0380 (COD)) and the position of the European Parliament in the interinstitutional negotiations,Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2021 establishing the Brexit Adjustment Reserve1d and the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries of 11 May 2021, _________________ 1d OJ L 357, 8.10.2021, p. 1–26.
Amendment 13 #
— having regard to the first Santiago de Compostela Declaration of 25 October 2017 and the second Santiago de Compostela Declaration of 26 October 2020 by the European fishing communities on the future of the fisheries sector in Europe after Brexit,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the Protocol on access to waters, appended to the Agreement as Annex 38, provides for an 'adjustment period', from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2026, during which each Party shall grant to vessels of the other Party full access to its waters to fish the species listen therein;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas on 18 November 2020 Norway took the unilateral, discriminatory decision to cut the EU's Svalbard cod quota for 2021; whereas on 28 May 2021 Norway decided, again unilaterally and against scientific advice, to increase its quota of the shared mackerel stock by 55%; whereas the Faroe Islands and Iceland have also unilaterally increased their mackerel quotas;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas the Agreement provides for duty-free and quota-free access for originating fishery products, although British overseas territories are now neither associated with the Union nor enjoy tariff exemptions for exports of fishery products to the Union since they fall outside the scope of the Agreement;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Recital H d (new)
Hd. whereas fisheries played a very prominent role in the campaign in the run-up to the referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the Union in 2016; whereas fisheries-related issues were the final stumbling block in negotiations on the UK-EU Agreement whereas the stated aim in the Political Declaration of concluding and ratifying a fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020 was not met;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises the need for the Union and the UK to continue to work together to deliver sound international ocean governance by promoting the sustainable use and exploitation of ocean resources and encouraging the protection and restoration of sensitive areas on the basis of the best and most up-to-date scientific knowledge;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the impact of Brexit on the fisheries sector extends beyond the geographical area of the United Kingdom and has major implications on the Union fleet operating in other parts of the world under this third country’s jurisdiction, such as the Falkland Islandsthroughout the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean area as well as on the Union fleet operating in other parts of the world such as the waters around the Falkland Islands; stresses that the relationship between the EU and the UK must serve as a cornerstone for fisheries governance in the North-East Atlantic and the sustainable management of stocks shared with other third countries, such as mackerel or blue whiting;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that access to waters and resources for both fleets cannot be considered in isolation from market access; welcomes the fact that the Agreement includes a direct link between trade provisions and fisheries provisions; calls on the Commission and the Council to ensure that fisheries negotiations with other coastal states in the North-East Atlantic are also linked to issues pertaining to trade and access to the EU market;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to keep all negotiation channels with the United Kingdom open, with a view to finding stable, lasting solutions that are beneficial to both Parties; points out, however, that all legal instruments should be employed, including those related to market access, and all countervailing and response measures and dispute settlement mechanisms provided for in the Agreement, should be employed;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Deplores the fact that the Agreement gradually reduces the value of the European fleet's fishing opportunities in UK waters by 25% over a five-and-a- half-year period; expresses concern at the state of affairs following the end of the 'adjustment period'; calls on the Commission to take all necessary measures to ensure that reciprocal access to waters and fisheries resources is maintained after 30 June 2026 and that no further fishing opportunities are granted to the United Kingdom;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Recalls that should the UK consider limiting access after the adjustment period, the EU will be able to take action to protect its interests, including by re-establishing tariffs or quotas for UK fish imports or suspending other parts of the Agreement, should there be a risk of serious economic or social difficulties for EU fishing communities;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Expresses its deep concern at the uncertainty created by the clause in Article 510 of the Agreement on the review of Part Two, Heading 5 ('Fisheries') of the Agreement four years after the end of the adjustment period;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Member States to drawmake full use onf the funds under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to promote and support the sector and the coastal communities affected; emphasis and to compensate losses incurred; reiterates the need for the Adjustment Reserve to earmark more funds for the fisheries sector and for these funds to be available for longer, until at least 30 June 2026the end of the adjustment period, 30 June 2026; calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for a regulation to this effect paying due account to the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries of 11 May 2021;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is opposed to all unilateral decisions of any kind that establish fishing opportunities that contravene international law or go against the advice based on the best and most up-to-date scientific knowledge; urges Norway in particular to go back on the decision to unilaterally cut the EU fleet's Svalbard cod quota; further urges Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland to go back on their unilateral decision to increase their mackerel quota, against scientific advice; calls on the Commission and the Council to safeguard the EU fleet's long- established rights and legitimate socio- economic interests in the North-East Atlantic;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to maintain negotiations with all partners without, however, ruling out the use of measures, including market access measures, also within the scope of the European Economic Area, that are appropriate and tough enough to demonstrate the importance of resolving any conflicts that may arise; further urges the Commission not to rule out the possibility of using the response measures provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012, which may include restrictions to imports of fishery products or to access to EU ports;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Deplores the restrictive attitude maintained by Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands towards European investment in their fishery sectors; stresses that the Union should maintain a more balanced relationship with these countries and territories so as to move towards lifting restrictions on freedom of establishment and investment;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Recalls that the EU is the largest and most attractive import market for seafood products; calls for this position of strength to be recognised and leveraged to protect the interests of the EU fishing fleet, to prevent its partners from reneging on agreements or commitments and to foster a level playing field at international level, in particular on social, economic and environmental standards;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Commends the negotiations that took placeand thanks Mr Michel Barnier and the entire negotiating team, as, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they resul negotiations culminated in an ambitious Trade and Cooperation Agreement; stresses, however, that the commitments made need to be met and enforced;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission and Member StatParties to comply with and enforce the Trade and Cooperation Agreement without resorting to an interpretation of the rules that would be out of step with the spirit of good neighbourliness and close and peaceful relations based on cooperation and respect for the autonomy and sovereignty of the Parties; points out that the United Kingdom has already unlawfully construed terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in an interpretation at odds with the spirit thereofurges the Parties to implement the provisions agreed on fisheries in good faith and in a constructive spirit, ensuring legal certainty and avoiding unilateral decisions contrary to the letter or the spirit of the Agreement;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the United Kingdom to refrain from making restrictive and controversial interpretations of licensing conditions, in particular for vessels which have historically fished in the 6-to-12 nautical mile zone of the British territorial sea and in the waters of the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man; calls on the Parties to pay particular attention to the situation of vessels in the small-scale fishing fleet, which by their nature may find it more difficult to provide a continuous record of fishing activities;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Calls on the United Kingdom not to hinder fishing by EU surface longliner vessels, which traditionally enter British waters in pursuit of schools of albacore tuna and swordfish; recalls that fishing for these highly migratory species is regulated within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); calls on the Commission to pay special attention to the situation of these sectors of the fleet;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Demands that the United Kingdom cease any intimidating checks of EU vessels immediately and refrain from imposing any discriminatory technical measures; expresses its deep concern that the United Kingdom could unjustifiably depart from EU regulations on technical measures and other related EU environmental legislation, thus imposing de facto limitations on some European fishing vessels' access to UK waters, making fishing unduly burdensome; stresses the role of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries in seeking a common approach on technical measures and in discussing any measures of which one Party may give notice to the other; recalls that the Agreement obliges each party to precisely justify the non- discriminatory nature of any measures in this area and the need to ensure long-term environmental sustainability, on the basis of on scientifically verifiable data; calls on the Commission to be particularly vigilant that these conditions are complied with and to strongly respond in case the UK acts in a discriminatory manner;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
(14d) Calls for the mechanisms for the exchange of fishing quotas between Parties to be streamlined and manageable for the sector;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)
Paragraph 14 e (new)
14e. Calls on Parties to ensure that the process of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under their jurisdiction is consensual, proportionate and non- discriminatory;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights the need for the European Parliament to be fully and regularly updated onf the work undertaken and decisions taken by this Committee and suggests that— both before and after its meetings — and suggests that, where appropriate, representatives from the Committee on Fisheries should be able to take part in its meetings as observers;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on Parties to pay due attention to socio-economic aspects when agreeing on Total Allowable Catches for the stocks listed in the Agreement;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Welcomes the adoption of Council Regulation (EU) No 2021/1203 of 19 July 2021, with a view to mitigating the effects of Brexit in terms of the loss of preferential status for the EU's overseas territories; calls on the Commission and the Council to take all necessary measures to eliminate tariffs on imports of Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi);
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Expresses concern at any measures that the United Kingdom may take under reservation number 13 (‘Fisheries and water’) made by that country to Annex 20 of the Agreement; asks the Commission to pay particular attention to the possibility of protectionist measures and, if they are introduced, to respond accordingly;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d Views with concern that the fact that the Falkland Islands Assembly has recently passed the Fisheries (Conservation and Administration) Act 2021, which requires 51% of the shares of all fishing companies operating in the Falkland Islands to be owned in that country;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Expresses its concern at recent cases of over-zealous enforcement of fisheries control rules in the Celtic Sea; urges all Member States to avoid practices that may amount to unwarranted 'fisheries nationalism';
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Calls for the active involvement of representatives of the fisheries sector, regional authorities, coastal communities and other stakeholders in the monitoring and implementation of the Agreement, in particular through their participation in the domestic advisory groups and the Civil Society Forum provided for in Articles 13 and 14 of the Agreement; urges the Commission to promote the establishment of a domestic internal fisheries advisory group to that effect, without prejudice to the existing advisory councils;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)
Paragraph 16 g (new)
16g. Calls on the Commission, given the challenge of addressing in a coordinated manner the challenges posed by Brexit in the North-East Atlantic, to take the appropriate decisions on organisational structure and resources;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and, the Commission, as well as tothe Committee of the Regions, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.