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WRITTEN QUESTION E-3280/02
by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission
(07 November 2002)
Subject: Industrial fisheries - sandeels
Given the record catches of sandeel fisheries being recorded by Danish
fishermen (in April this year, the previous record from 1994 of 72 000
tonnes was broken when 78 000 tonnes were landed), how can the Commission
provide reassurances that the already threatened white fish stocks of the
North Sea are not being adversely affected by these catches?
Why has the Commission not reduced
radically the catches of industrial fisheries in light of the closures and
reduced quotas being faced by the fishing industry in relation to fish for
human consumption?
Can the Commission justify its
nonchalant approach towards allowing industrial fisheries in light of the
obvious detrimental effect on the marine ecosystem, and obvious impact on
other fisheries crucial for the survival of fisheries-dependent
communities located around the North Sea?
E-3280/02EN
Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission
(23 December 2002)
According to the information available to the Commission the Danish
fishermen landed 178,000 tonnes of sandeel in April 2002 and 245,000
tonnes in May 2002.
The total catches of sandeel have for the last 25 years being fluctuating
between 500,000 and 1.1 million tonnes per year without any clear trend.
There is no evidence known to the Commission that the fisheries for
sandeel have a significant adversely effect on the white fish stocks. The
available information shows that the by-catches of white fish is very low
compared to the catches of these species in other fisheries and the
Commission has not received any scientific advice or other information
indicating that sandeel fishing is depriving white fish of sufficient
food. The Commission has, however, recently asked the International
Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to investigate possible
effects of industrial fisheries on the ecosystem. |
