PURPOSE: to implement, at Community level, the recovery plan for bluefin tuna adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for the duration of this recovery plan.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) No 1559/2007 establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean and amending Regulation (EC) No 520/2007.

CONTENT: the Council unanimously adopted a Regulation establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna (thunnus thynnus) for a period of 15 years. This Regulation lays down the general rules for the application by the Community of a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This Regulation shall apply to bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The objective of that recovery plan shall be to achieve a biomass corresponding to the maximum sustainable yield (Bmsy) with greater than 50 % probability.

The main measures introduced by the plan are as follows:

the establishment of controls based on an annual fishing plan to be submitted by each Member State concerned, identifying, inter alia, vessels over 24m fishing bluefin tuna and specifying their individual quotas. Member States whose national quota does not exceed 5% of the Community TAC may, alternatively, submit a specific method for achieving the same controls; technical measures (seasonal restrictions on fishing by large-scale pelagic longline vessels over 24m, purse seine fishing and fishing by bait boats and pelagic trawlers); a ban on the use of aircraft or helicopters for searching for bluefin tuna; the minimum size or weight is 30kg or 115cm (with derogations possible up to 8 kg or 75 cm for bluefin tuna caught in the Atlantic Ocean by bait boats, trolling boats and pelagic trawlers, under certain conditions, and for bluefin tuna caught in the Adriatic Sea for farming purposes); recreational fishing is limited to a catch of one individual bluefin tuna in each sea trip; the marketing of bluefin tuna caught in recreational or sport fishing is prohibited except for charitable purposes; the designation of ports for the landing of bluefin tuna; a ban on transhipment, except for large-scale tuna longline fishing vessels; registration of and the issuing of fishing permits or licences to fishing vessels, depending on their national flag, and for tuna traps.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25/12/2007.

APPLICATION: from 01/01/2008.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Iles BRAGHETTO (EPP-ED, IT) and made some amendments to the proposal for a Council regulation establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. It conformed to the opinion of its Fisheries Committee and opposed the minimum size derogations for bluefin tuna. The resolution was adopted by 480 votes for, 41 votes against and 17 abstentions.

The main amendments were as follows:

- a new article states that at least one month before the list of vessels and is sent to the Commission, the Member States shall submit electronically to the Commission a fisheries plan indicating the number of vessels and traps for which fishing licences are to be requested, accompanied by information concerning the expected fishing effort. Each Member State shall ensure that the number of vessels and traps included in the fisheries plan is proportionate to the bluefin-tuna quota allocated to it;

- each Member State shall take the necessary action to ensure that its fattening and farming capacity is consistent with the bluefin-tuna TACs in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean;

- financial compensation from the European Fisheries Fund shall be paid to fishermen (both to crews and to shipowners) during the closed season, in accordance with the aims of the recovery plans referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002;

- Parliament deleted the derogation for a minimum size for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) of 8 kg to be applied to certain prescribed bluefin tuna;

- the number of vessels on the list shall reflect the terms and conditions and the calculation of the fishing effort referred to in the fisheries plan provided for in the text;

- the number of traps on the list shall reflect the terms and conditions and the calculation of the fishing effort referred to in the fisheries plan provided for in the text;

- the Commission shall ensure that bluefin tuna fishery operations are immediately shut down in those Member States which do not meet the deadline for supplying information referred to;

- on the basis of the catch data provided by the traps and as an important source of information for monitoring bluefin tuna, the Commission in conjunction with the ICCAT secretariat shall draw up a plan to reactivate traps in the Atlantic and to recover traps which are no longer active in the Mediterranean;

- Member States shall cooperate amongst themselves in order to harmonise their laws on implementation measures in respect of vessels flying their flag which are found to be in contravention of the requirements deriving from this Regulation.

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report - at 1 st reading under the consultation procedure - by Iles BRAGHETTO (EPP-ED, IT) on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The report makes the following amendments:

- it states that if the situation regarding the survival of fish stocks is really so critical, the derogations regarding both minimum size and – to a lesser extent – closed seasons are unacceptable. Derogations would not be justified from a biological point of view on account of the fact that the Mediterranean and the Atlantic are populated by a single tuna stock. Derogations would also make controls less effective;

- at least one month before the list of vessels and traps is sent to the Commission, the Member States shall submit electronically to the Commission a fisheries plan indicating the number of vessels and traps for which fishing licences are to be requested, accompanied by information concerning the expected fishing effort. Each Member State shall ensure that the number of vessels and traps included in the fisheries plan is proportionate to the bluefin-tuna quota allocated to it;

- e ach Member State may allocate its bluefin tuna quota to fishing vessels flying its flag and traps registered by it which are authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna and which are included in the fisheries plan;

- each Member State shall take the necessary action in order to ensure that its fattening and farming capacity is consistent with the bluefin-tuna TACs in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

- financial compensation from the European Fisheries Fund shall be paid to fishermen (both to crews and to shipowners) during the closed season;

- the number of vessels on the list shall reflect the terms and conditions and the calculation of the fishing effort referred to in the fisheries plan;

- the number of traps on the list shall reflect the terms and conditions and the calculation of the fishing effort referred to in the fisheries plan;

- the Commission shall immediately ensure that bluefin tuna fishery operations are shut down in those Member States which do not meet the deadline for supplying information;

- on the basis of the catch data provided by the traps and as an important source of information for monitoring bluefin tuna, the Commission in conjunction with the ICCAT secretariat shall draw up a plan to reactivate traps in the Atlantic and to recover traps which are no longer active in the Mediterranean;

- the Member States shall cooperate amongst themselves in order to harmonise their laws on implementation measures in respect of vessels flying their flag which are found to be in contravention of the requirements stemming from this Regulation.

The Council instructed the Permanent Representatives Committee to find a solution to the outstanding issues regarding the proposal for a Regulation establishing a recovery plan for bluefin tuna as recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), with a view to voting on the proposal in June 2007.

PURPOSE: to adopt a Community recovery plan for bluefin tuna.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

CONTENT: as a member of the ICCAT “International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas” the Community is obliged to implement ICCAT recommendations into Community law. In 2006, the ICCAT adopted a 15 year recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. This plan provides for a reduction of the TAC level until 2010; restrictions on fishing within certain areas and time periods; a new minimum size; measures concerning sport and recreational fishing activities; and control measures such as the ICCAT Scheme of Joint International Inspection. As a provisional measure, the Community adopted a Regulation to apply the recovery plan for the year 2007 only.

The purpose of this proposal is to implement the fifteen year ICCAT recovery plan on a permanent basis for the entire duration of the plan. The proposal is in keeping with the general pattern of the sustainable exploitation of tuna stocks in compliance with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy and contributes to sustainable development.

In summary, the proposed Regulation:

- lays down the general rules for Community application of the “Multiannual recovery Plan for Bluefin Tuna” as recommended by the ICCAT. The plan covers the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean;

- has as its objective to achieve a biomass corresponding to the maximum sustainable yield (Bmsy) with greater than 50% probability;

- sets TACs per year according to the following scheme: in 2008 – 28.500 tonnes; in 2009 – 27.500 tonnes; and in 2010 – 25.500 tonnes;

- allows the Member States to allocate their bluefin tuna quota to fishing vessels flying their flag;

- sets out detailed arrangements concerning: closed fishing season; the use of planes; minimum sizes; sampling plans for bluefin tuna; by-catches; recreational fishing; sport fishing; the registering of vessels authorised to fish for bluefin tuna; the registering of tuna traps authorised to fish for bluefin tuna; designated ports for landing; recording requirements; joint fishing operations; catch reports; landings; transhipments; caging operations; trap activities; port or farm inspections; cross checking; observer programmes and the ICCAT scheme of joint international inspection.

The proposal has no implications on the Community budget.

PURPOSE: to adopt a Community recovery plan for bluefin tuna.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

CONTENT: as a member of the ICCAT “International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas” the Community is obliged to implement ICCAT recommendations into Community law. In 2006, the ICCAT adopted a 15 year recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. This plan provides for a reduction of the TAC level until 2010; restrictions on fishing within certain areas and time periods; a new minimum size; measures concerning sport and recreational fishing activities; and control measures such as the ICCAT Scheme of Joint International Inspection. As a provisional measure, the Community adopted a Regulation to apply the recovery plan for the year 2007 only.

The purpose of this proposal is to implement the fifteen year ICCAT recovery plan on a permanent basis for the entire duration of the plan. The proposal is in keeping with the general pattern of the sustainable exploitation of tuna stocks in compliance with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy and contributes to sustainable development.

In summary, the proposed Regulation:

- lays down the general rules for Community application of the “Multiannual recovery Plan for Bluefin Tuna” as recommended by the ICCAT. The plan covers the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean;

- has as its objective to achieve a biomass corresponding to the maximum sustainable yield (Bmsy) with greater than 50% probability;

- sets TACs per year according to the following scheme: in 2008 – 28.500 tonnes; in 2009 – 27.500 tonnes; and in 2010 – 25.500 tonnes;

- allows the Member States to allocate their bluefin tuna quota to fishing vessels flying their flag;

- sets out detailed arrangements concerning: closed fishing season; the use of planes; minimum sizes; sampling plans for bluefin tuna; by-catches; recreational fishing; sport fishing; the registering of vessels authorised to fish for bluefin tuna; the registering of tuna traps authorised to fish for bluefin tuna; designated ports for landing; recording requirements; joint fishing operations; catch reports; landings; transhipments; caging operations; trap activities; port or farm inspections; cross checking; observer programmes and the ICCAT scheme of joint international inspection.

The proposal has no implications on the Community budget.