Tag Archives: Fisheries

Freedom to supply services, competition, unfair pricing practices and free access to ocean trade

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Freedom to supply services, competition, unfair pricing practices and free access to ocean trade

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Competition > Rules applicable to specific sectors > Competition in transport

Freedom to supply services, competition, unfair pricing practices and free access to ocean trade

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86 of 22 December 1986 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport between Member States and between Member States and third countries [See amending acts]

Summary

Four Regulations, Nos 4055/86, 4056/86, 4057/86 and 4058/86, set out to apply the principles of freedom to provide services, competition, and free access to the market in sea transport. Another Regulation, No 3577/92, deals specifically with freedom to provide services in sea transport within Member States (” maritime cabotage “).

Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86: Freedom to provide services

The Regulation gives Member State nationals (and non-Community shipping companies using ships registered in a Member State and controlled by Member State nationals) the right to carry passengers or goods by sea between any port of a Member State and any port or off-shore installation of another Member State or of a non-Community country.

Any current national restrictions which reserve the carriage of goods to vessels flying the national flag are to be phased out.

Existing cargo sharing arrangements in bilateral agreements with non-Community countries are to be adjusted or phased out according to this Regulation.

Cargo sharing arrangements in future bilateral agreements with non-member countries will be limited to those Member States whose shipping companies would not otherwise have an opportunity to ply for trade to and from the particular non-member country.

The Regulation lays down a procedure for cases where Member State shippers have no effective opportunity to ply for trade to and from a particular non-Community country.

It allows the extension of the benefits of the Regulation to non-Community nationals established in the Community.

Regulation No 3573/90 inserts a clause providing for the adjustment of agreements concluded by the former German Democratic Republic.

Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86: Application of the competition rules in maritime transport

The Regulation defines the following terms:

“tramp vessel services”: the transport of goods without a regular timetable where the freight rates are freely negotiated case by case in accordance with supply and demand;
“liner conference”: a group of carriers who provide international liner services for the carriage of cargo within specified geographical limits and who agree to charge uniform or common freight rates and to apply any other agreed terms for the provision of liner services;
“transport user”: a firm that has entered into, or demonstrates an intention to enter into, a contractual or other arrangement with a conference or shipping line.

The Regulation lays down the rules for applying Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (free competition) to maritime transport. The transport must be between one or more Community ports, and tramp vessel services are excluded.

Technical agreements whose sole object is to achieve technical improvements or cooperation are exempted by the Regulation from the prohibition in Article 81(1) of the Treaty.

Restrictive practices engaged in by members of one or more liner conferences are exempted from the prohibition in Article 81(1), on certain conditions, in so far as they seek to coordinate shipping timetables, determine the frequency of sailing, allocate sailings among members of the conference, fix rates and conditions of carriage, regulate carrying capacity, or allocate cargo or revenue among members.

Regulation No 1/2003 provides for a changeover from a centralised system of prior notification to a directly applicable exception scheme: competition law is now to be enforced by any competition authority, including the Commission, and by the courts of the Member States.

Regulation (EEC) No 4057/86: Unfair pricing in maritime transport

This Regulation enables the EC to apply compensatory duties in order to protect shipowners in Member States from unfair pricing practices on the part of non-Community shipowners.

The Regulation defines the injury that can be taken into consideration, e.g. a reduction in the shipowner’s market share or profits or in employment.

It lays down a procedure for complaints, consultations, and subsequent investigations.

It allows compensatory duties to be imposed on foreign shipowners. These follow an investigation which demonstrates that injury has been caused by unfair pricing and that the interests of the Community make intervention necessary.

Regulation (EEC) No 4058/86: Free access to ocean trades

This Regulation applies when action by a non-Community country or by its agents restricts free access to the transport of liner cargoes, bulk cargoes or other cargoes by shipping companies of Member States or by ships registered in a Member State, except where such action is taken in conformity with the UN Liner Code.

The Regulation defines the expressions “home trader” and “cross-trader”.

It provides for coordinated action by the Community following a request made by a Member State to the Commission. Such action might include diplomatic representation to non-Community countries and countermeasures directed at the shipping companies concerned.

Similar coordinated action can be taken at the request of another country belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with which a reciprocal arrangement has been concluded.

Act	Entry into force – Date of expiry	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86	01.01.1987	–	OJ L 378 of 31.12.1986

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86	01.07.1987	–	OJ L 378 of 31.12.1986
Regulation (EEC) No 4057/86	01.07.1987	–	OJ L 378 of 31.12.1986
Regulation (EEC) No 4058/86	01.07.1987	–	OJ L 378 of 31.12.1986
Regulation (EEC) No 3573/90	17.12.1990	–	OJ L 353 of 17.12.1990

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document which remains the only legally binding document.

Action plan for an integrated maritime policy

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Action plan for an integrated maritime policy

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Action plan for an integrated maritime policy

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Maritime Affairs And Fisheries > Maritime affairs

Action plan for an integrated maritime policy

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 10 October 2007 on an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union [COM(2007) 575 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The creation of an integrated maritime policy requires a precise management framework. The Commission has created a Maritime Policy task force to analyse the interactions between the sectoral policies and coordinate them. It has also requested help from the Agencies of the European Union (EU) with maritime-related functions to draw up new policies. In addition, the development of new maritime policies involves consultation of civil society and all stakeholders as well as comprehensive impact assessments.

Objectives

The prime objective of an integrated maritime policy for the EU is to maximise sustainable use of the oceans and seas while enabling growth of the maritime economy and coastal regions. In order to ensure the competitiveness, safety and security of the sector, the European Commission commits to:

creating a strategy to alleviate the consequences of climate change in coastal regions;
enhancing professional qualifications and studies in the maritime field to offer better career prospects in the sector;
creating a European maritime space without administrative or customs barriers as well as a comprehensive maritime transport strategy for 2008-18 to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of maritime transport in Europe;
issuing guidelines on the application of environmental legislation relevant to ports and proposing a new ports policy taking account of the multiple roles of ports;
encouraging the formation of multi-sector clusters and promoting technological innovation in the shipbuilding and energy sector to ensure economic competitiveness without harming the environment;
supporting international efforts to reduce pollution of the atmosphere and greenhouse gas emissions attributable to ships;
taking steps against discharges into the sea, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and any other destructive practices.

A second key objective is building a knowledge and innovation base for the maritime policy. Marine science, technology and research enable analysis of the effects of human activity on marine systems and put forward solutions to alleviate environmental degradation and the effects of climate change. The European Commission plans to:

present a comprehensive European strategy for marine and maritime research;
improve understanding of maritime affairs for the 7th framework programme;
support the creation of a European marine science partnership with the aim of establishing dialogue between the scientific community, the industry and policy makers.

An integrated policy also has the objective of delivering a higher quality of life in coastal and outermost regions, reconciled with economic development and environmental sustainability. The Commission therefore aims in particular to:

encourage coastal tourism;
prepare a database on Community funding for maritime projects and coastal regions;
create a Community disaster prevention strategy in these regions;
develop the maritime potential of outermost regions and islands.

The EU intends, moreover, to promote its leading position in international maritime affairs. An integrated policy enables improved management of maritime affairs and the creation of EU priorities in this field. This is of particular importance given the global character of the problems encountered by the maritime sector. Therefore, the Commission will encourage:

cooperation in maritime affairs under the European Enlargement Policy, the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Northern Dimension and structured dialogue with major partners. The application of international agreements by partners is essential;
the Member States to ratify and apply the relevant instruments.

The final objective of this integrated policy is raising the visibility of Maritime Europe and improving the image of this sector’s activities and professions. To this end, the Commission proposes positive actions and tools such as:

launch of educational tools (Atlas of the Seas) and instruments to highlight our common maritime heritage;
celebration of an annual European Maritime Day from 2008.

Instruments

Three instruments are of particular importance for creating common maritime policies:

a European network for maritime surveillance to ensure the safe use of the sea and the security of the EU’s maritime borders, as these problems are transnational in nature. The Commission particularly encourages cooperation between coastguards and the relevant agencies, and undertakes to improve the interoperability of surveillance systems;
integrated coastal zone management (land and sea) to enable maritime spatial planning. While it is the Member States who have competence in this field, Europe-wide commitment is essential. The Commission will propose a roadmap in 2008 to facilitate the development of this instrument;
a complete and accessible source of data and information on natural and human activity on the oceans to facilitate strategic decision-making on maritime policy. Measures will be taken to establish a European Marine Observation and Data Network and to create multi-dimensional mapping of Member States’ waters.

Background

The Communication follows on from the consultation launched in the Green paper on a Maritime Policy for the EU, by which the European Council of June asks the Commission to develop an action plan.

Related Acts

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 October 2010 establishing a Programme to support the further development of an Integrated Maritime Policy [COM(2010) 494 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Proposal establishes a programme aimed at supporting the measures planned to further the development and implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy. It is part of the continuation of preparatory actions and pilots projects to be launched between January 2011 and December 2013. The programme will provide financial resources for achieving the objectives and priorities set out in the action plan which was adopted in 2007.
Codecision procedure (COD/2010/0257)

Commission Communication of 8 October 2010 – Marine Knowledge 2020: marine data and observation for smart and sustainable growth [COM(2010) 461 – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Communication details an action plan which makes up one of the three cross-cutting tools provided for by the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy. This action plan is divided into three strands aimed at improving the reliability of marine data, making it more user-friendly and less expensive and stimulating competitiveness amongst the users of this data.

Commission Communication of 15 October 2009 – Towards the integration of maritime surveillance: A common information sharing environment for the EU maritime domain [COM(2009) 538 – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Communication relates to the second cross-cutting tool provided for by the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy. It sets out guiding principles for the development of a common information sharing environment for the EU maritime domain and launches the process towards its establishment. To achieve this, coordination and coherence between the European Commission, the Member States and interlocutors should be enhanced.

Communication from the Commission of 25 November 2008 – Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving common principles in the EU [COM(2008) 791 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
Maritime Spatial Planning is an instrument of the Integrated Maritime Policy which helps to improve coordination between the parties involved and optimises the use of the seas and oceans. This Communication defines a set of fundamental principles inspired by current practice and existing legislation. These principles will serve as the basis for the discussions leading to the drafting of a common approach concerning Maritime Spatial Planning.

Report from the Commission of 15 October 2009 – Progress report on the EU’s integrated maritime policy [COM(2009) 540 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission reviewed progress carried out under the framework of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) since the adoption of the 2007 Communication and defined the six strategic directions for the future:

integration of maritime governance: EU institutions, Member States and coastal regions shall establish effective structures for the purpose of cross-sectoral collaboration and consultation with stakeholders. These structures shall enable the potential of all the synergies between maritime-related sectoral policies to be used. As much as is possible, it should prevent sectoral policies from being isolated from each other.
development of cross-cutting policy tools such as maritime spatial planning, exhaustive knowledge and databases on maritime spaces and integrated maritime surveillance. These tools can unlock considerable economic investments and improve the management of European maritime spaces.
definition of the boundaries for maritime activities in order to ensure sustainability: in the context of the Framework Directive “Strategy for the marine environment”, these boundaries take into consideration the impact of the development of maritime activities on the seas and oceans.
sea-basin strategies: these strategies contribute to the success of the IMP. They enable the priorities and tools of the policy to be adapted to the specific geographic, economic and political context of each large European sea-basin.
strengthening the international dimension of integrated maritime policy: the EU must take a leading role in improving global maritime governance, as it has done in the matter of piracy or with regard to destructive fishing practices.
sustainable economic growth, employment and innovation: the EU shall define overall, coherent economic priorities in order to promote the development of intra-EU maritime transport, stimulate investment, advance the concept of clean ships and promote energy generation from the sea, etc. It shall also ensure that maritime policy and coastal areas are fully taken into account in the debate on territorial cohesion.

The Commission shall publish a document on the implementation of these six strategic directions in 2010.

Maritime affairs

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Maritime affairs

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Maritime affairs

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Maritime Affairs And Fisheries > Maritime affairs

Maritime affairs

On account of the growing competition for the exploitation of maritime areas and the cumulative effect of human activities on marine ecosystems, an integrated maritime policy is a must. This is an overall policy which brings together several maritime activities, such as shipping, fisheries, energy, surveillance and monitoring of the seas, tourism, the environment, research, etc. The action plan, presented in October 2007 by the Commission, defines its framework and principal objectives. The integrated maritime policy aims to maximise sustainable exploitation of the seas and oceans, whilst at the same time allowing growth of the maritime economy and the coastal regions.

Action plan for an integrated maritime policy
Guidelines for developing national maritime policies
Strategy to strengthen global governance of seas and oceans
Strategy to improve maritime governance in the Mediterranean
Towards integrated maritime surveillance
Development and integrated management of coastal zones
Maritime Policy Green Paper

Enforcing judgments: the transparency of debtors' assets

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Enforcing judgments: the transparency of debtors’ assets

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Enforcing judgments: the transparency of debtors’ assets

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Justice freedom and security > Judicial cooperation in civil matters

Enforcing judgments: the transparency of debtors’ assets

Even with a court judgment obtained, recovering cross-border debts may be difficult for creditors in practice if no information on the debtors’ assets or whereabouts is available. Because of this, the European Commission has adopted a Green Paper launching a public consultation on how to improve the recovery of debts through possible measures such as registers and debtor declarations.

Document or Iniciative

Green Paper of 6 March 2008 on the effective enforcement of judgments in the European Union: the transparency of debtors’ assets [COM(2008) 128 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The late and non-payment of debts is detrimental to business and customers alike, particularly when no information is available on the debtor’s assets or whereabouts. This is a particular cross-border issue in debt recovery and has the potential to affect the smooth running of the internal market. In launching a public consultation, the European Commission has outlined the problems of the current situation and possible solutions in this Green Paper. Interested parties can submit their comments by 30 September 2008.

State of play

The search for a debtor’s address and information on his financial situation is often the starting point for enforcement proceedings. At national level, most Member States mainly use two different systems for obtaining information, either:

systems of declaration of the debtor’s entire assets or at least a part of it to satisfy the claim;
search systems with specific information (registers).

In this Green Paper, the European Commission focuses more on a series of measures instead of one single European measure to allow the creditor to obtain reliable information on the debtor’s assets and whereabouts within a reasonable period of time. Possible measures include:

drawing up a manual of national enforcement laws and practices: at present, there is very little information on the different enforcement systems in the 27 European Union Member States. Such a manual could contain all sources of information on a person’s assets, which could be accessed in each country; contact addresses, costs, etc.
increasing the information available and improving access to registers: the main sources of information on the debtor are public registers, such as commercial or population registers. However, these vary from one Member State to the next. The Commission is asking whether to increase information available in and access to commercial registers and in what way access to existing population registers should be enhanced. Furthermore, access to social security and tax registers by enforcement authorities may be increased, while respecting rules of data protection and social and fiscal privacy.
exchange of information between enforcement authorities: currently, enforcement bodies are not able to directly access the (non-public) registers of other Member States which are open to national enforcement bodies. In addition, there are no international instruments dealing with the exchange of information between national enforcement bodies. In the absence of a Europe-wide register, enhancing cooperation between national enforcement authorities and direct exchange of information between them may a possible solution.
measures relating to the debtor’s declaration: enforcement bodies have in several Member States the option to question the debtor directly regarding his assets, whereas in some Member States the debtor’s declaration is made in the form of a testimony before the enforcement court. In some Member States, the debtor has to fill out mandatory forms, and in others a debtor’s declaration does not exist at all. The European Commission is considering introducing a European Assets declaration, obliging the debtors to disclose all assets in the European judicial area. In this way, the transparency of the debtor’s assets would not be limited by the territoriality of the enforcement proceedings.

Satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System

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Satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Transport > Intelligent transport and navigation by satellite

Satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

Electronic devices, or “blue boxes”, are installed on board vessels. These devices automatically send data to a satellite system which transmits them to a ground station which, in turn, sends them to the fisheries monitoring centre (FMC).

Document or Iniciative

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003 of 18 December 2003 laying down detailed provisions regarding satellite-based Vessel Monitoring Systems.

Summary

Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 states that fishing vessels are prohibited from engaging in fishing activities unless they have installed on board a device which allows them to be detected and identified by remote monitoring systems.

The present Regulation establishes a satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) which applies to:

fishing vessels exceeding 18 metres in length, as from 1 January 2004; and
fishing vessels exceeding 15 metres in length as from 1 January 2005.

Fishing vessels operating exclusively inside the baselines of Member States are not subject to this requirement.

Member States are to operate Fisheries Monitoring Centres (FMC). The FMC of a Member State is to monitor:

the fishing vessels flying the flag of that Member State, regardless of the waters or the port they are in;
Community fishing vessels flying the flag of other Member States;
third-country fishing vessels during the time they are in the waters under the sovereignty or the jurisdiction of that Member State.

All Community fishing vessels subject to VMS must have a satellite-tracking device installed on board. The satellite-tracking devices installed on board Community fishing vessels ensure the automatic transmission to the FMC of the flag Member State, at all times, of data relating to the fishing vessel identification, the most recent geographical position of the fishing vessel, the date and time of the said position and, with effect from 1 January 2006, the speed and course of the fishing vessel.

Each Member State is to ensure that its FMC receives this information, at least once an hour, through the VMS.

The VMS established by each Member State must ensure the automatic transmission of all these data to the FMC of a coastal Member State during the time the vessels are in the waters of that coastal Member State.

In the event of a technical failure or non-functioning of the satellite-tracking device fitted on board a Community fishing vessel, the master or the owner of the vessel must communicate every four hours the up-to-date current geographical position of the vessel to the FMC of the flag Member State and the FMC of the coastal Member State.

A Community fishing vessel may not leave port before the device is functioning to the satisfaction of the competent authorities or before it is otherwise authorised to leave by the competent authorities.

Member States must report half-yearly to the Commission, by 1 May and by 1 November, on the functioning of their VMS during the previous six months.

A third-country fishing vessel subject to VMS must have an operational satellite-tracking device installed on board when it is in Community waters.

References

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003	28.12.2003	1.1.2004	OJ L 333 of 20.12.2003

Related Acts

Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy [Official Journal L 358 of 31.12.2002].

State Aid: Guidelines

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State Aid: Guidelines

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about State Aid: Guidelines

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Competition > Rules applicable to specific sectors > Competition in agriculture and fisheries

State Aid: Guidelines

Document or Iniciative

Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture [Official Journal C 84, 3.4.2008].

Summary

State aid is in principle prohibited by the Treaty establishing the European Community because it is likely to result in unfair competition in the internal market. Nevertheless, derogations may be granted. For the purpose of these Guidelines on fisheries and aquaculture, the derogations are administered by the Commission.

These Guidelines apply to the fisheries sector and to the activities linked to harvesting aquatic resources and aquaculture, as well as to the production, processing and marketing methods used for the resulting products.

These Guidelines cover all measures which constitute aid within the meaning of Article 87 (1) of the EC Treaty, whatever their form and whether they are directly or indirectly financed by public funds.

To benefit fisheries and aquaculture, the rules on State aid set out in Articles 87 to 89 of the EC Treaty do not apply to financial contributions made by Member States to operations co-financed by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and provided for as part of an operational programme.

The Member States are obliged to notify the Commission of any State aid they plan to grant so that the Commission can ensure that the proposed aid is compatible with Community rules. Government aid must be in accordance with the objectives of the Competition Policy and those of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The aid may not be protective in nature and it may not be granted for activities that the beneficiary has already begun.

Aid that meets the criteria set by the exemption Regulation which is due to be adopted in the near future (to replace Regulation No 1595/2004 which expired on 31.12.2006), as well as aid for training, research or employment, may be exempted from the notification obligation.

The Member State must supply information on the amount and intensity of the aid. Aid schemes must be limited in duration to a maximum of 10 years. Two months before this expiry date, an application may be made to extend the scheme. In this case, the Member State must give reasons and must re-notify the scheme. If it becomes apparent that the beneficiary of the aid scheme is not complying with the rules of the CFP, the grant must be reimbursed in proportion to the gravity of the infringement.

The Commission states that State aid for the export of or trade in fishery products within the Community, as well as operating aid, is in principle incompatible with the internal market.

The Guidelines on regional aid do not apply to fisheries and aquaculture.

The following are compatible with the common market:

Aid for measures covered by an exemption Regulation;
Aid falling within the scope of certain horizontal guidelines (rescue and restructuring of firms in difficulty);
Aid for the equipment and modernisation of fishing vessels is incompatible with the common market unless it is granted to boats that are five years old or older and is intended to improve on-board safety, working conditions, hygiene, product quality, energy efficiency or selectivity, without increasing the fishing vessel’s catch potential. It must not exceed the overall rate set by Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006;
Aid to repair damage caused by natural disasters or other exceptional occurrences;
Tax relief and labour-related costs for fishing vessels fishing for tuna or tuna-like species which operate outside Community waters;
Aid financed through parafiscal charges;
Special aid for the outermost regions;
Aid that makes it possible to take other measures which clearly contribute to achieving the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy.

These Guidelines will apply as from 1 April 2008 to any State aid notified after this date.

Organisation and financing of the fisheries sector

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Organisation and financing of the fisheries sector

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Organisation and financing of the fisheries sector

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Organisation and financing of the fisheries sector

The common fisheries policy (CFP) has been based on a common organisation of the markets (CMO) since October 1970. This CMO aims to find the right balance between supply and demand in the interests of European fishers and consumers. It introduces marketing standards, a price stabilisation system and rules for trade with third countries. A European Fisheries Fund (EFF) enables solutions to be found to surplus fleet capacity, overindebtedness of enterprises, technical restrictions, and adaptations regarding hygiene, health, product quality and safety on board vessels.

GENERAL FRAMEWORK

Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy
Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (Green Paper)
Improving decision-making in Community fisheries management

Markets

Common organisation of the market in fishery products

Social standards

Organisation of seafarers’ working time
Organisation of hours of work on board ships using Community ports
Fishing vessels
Improved medical treatment on board vessels

Institutional aspects

Advisory committee on fisheries and aquaculture
Regional Advisory Councils
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
Community Fisheries Control Agency

STRUCTURAL MEASURES AND FINANCING

Improving the financial measures relating to the common fisheries policy

2007-2013

Interinstitutional Agreement on cooperation in budgetary matters
European Fisheries Fund
Detailed rules for the implementation of the EFF Regulation

2007-2013

Detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector
Emergency measures for scrapping fishing vessels
FIFG: Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance

STATE AID

State Aid: Guidelines
De minimis aid for the fisheries sector
State aid for SMEs in the fisheries sector
Improving the economic situation in the fishing industry
State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty

A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture

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A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Maritime Affairs And Fisheries > Management of fisheries resources and the environment

A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture

The European Commission is proposing the implementation of a strategy for the sustainable development of aquaculture.

2) Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council and European Parliament of 19 September 2002. A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture [COM(2002) 511 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

3) Summary

Aquaculture in the European Union. European aquaculture producers mainly produce fresh-water fish, salt-water fish and molluscs. They also produce small quantities of crustaceans and seaweed. Producing 1 315 000 tonnes in 2000, European aquaculture accounts for barely 3% of world production, although it tops the list for certain species. Annual production value amounts to EUR 2 500 million.
In 1997, aquaculture provided 57 000 full-time jobs.
Fish farming can be found in rural areas and peripheral regions dependent on fisheries. In some regions, like Galicia and Brittany, it plays a crucial socio-economic role.
The sector suffers from price instability and should be regulated by appropriate legislation at European level. This would help provide stability in areas dependent on fishing and provide them with economic viability and self-sufficiency.
The field of aquaculture faces many challenges.
In particular, the priority must be to keep the sector economically viable, guarantee food safety and animal welfare, solve environmental problems and stimulate research.
To attain these objectives, the Commission intends to implement nine actions:

Increasing production. The Commission is proposing to redirect the aid granted by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). Research on new species and varieties will be promoted. Common standards must also be laid down for organic aquaculture.
Improving the use of space. Closed water recirculating systems, offshore fish cage technology, mollusc offshore rafts and long-lines must all be developed. At the same time, integrated coastal zone management must take account of aquaculture in order to manage the use of coastal zones, which are already under all sorts of pressures from human activity.
Developing the market, marketing and information. The Commission recommends more frequent use of official quality marks, promotional campaigns to improve the image of the sector and gathering reliable statistical information. Fish farmers will be encouraged to form marketing partnerships.
Improving training. The Commission proposes to adapt training programmes to the needs of aquaculture. The role of women, who often occupy unskilled jobs, should be recognised. The Commission also recommends strengthening training programmes targeting women performing or wishing to perform management tasks. Economic decision-makers should take aquaculture into account as a factor in local development.
Strengthening governance. The Commission is proposing to strengthen stakeholder participation in decision-making. At the same time, self-regulation and voluntary agreements such as codes of best practice and good conduct should be encouraged. The Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) should also be introduced in the aquaculture sector.
Guaranteeing product safety. Regarding public health, the Community legislation on food safety is in the process of being recast. The provisions on residues of antibiotics and dioxin in food will be strengthened. Research on the damage caused by the proliferation of toxic algal blooms and animal diseases will be promoted. Regarding animal health, European veterinary legislation needs to be updated. The problem of sea lice must be solved and the legislation on veterinary medicine amended.
Animal welfare. The Commission could propose the adoption of standards to improve the welfare of farmed fish.
Protecting the environment. The impact of waste must be reduced. Accordingly, the Commission intends to study the possibility of extending the rules on nitrate emissions to cover aquaculture, and to promote the fight against eutrophication.
The impact on fisheries of catching wild fish to be reared in captivity should be studied.
The EU should set up instruments to reduce the environmental impact of escapee, transgenic and alien species of fish. Specific criteria and guidelines must also be adopted for aquaculture environmental impact assessments.
Solutions must be found to predation on aquaculture production by protected wild species.
Strengthening research. National and Community programmes to support research activities will be crucial to the future of aquaculture. At Community level, instruments like the FIFG and the 6th Framework Programme for research and technological development will be mobilised. Research priorities will be defined.

4) Implementing Measures

5) Follow-Up Work

Management of fisheries resources and the environment

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Management of fisheries resources and the environment

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Management of fisheries resources and the environment

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Maritime Affairs And Fisheries > Management of fisheries resources and the environment

Management of fisheries resources and the environment

The common fisheries policy (CFP) aims to guarantee the sustainability of living aquatic resources and environmental protection. To ensure sustainable fishing, the European Union has drawn up multiannual plans to replenish and manage the stocks, as well as specific measures (total allowable catches, limitation of the fishing effort, the prohibition of certain fishing gear, minimum landing sizes, etc.). Finally, it has adopted regulations to protect species not targeted by fisheries (marine mammals, birds and turtles), juveniles and vulnerable fish stocks and sensitive habitats.

Debate on the eco-labelling of fisheries products

PRESERVING RESOURCES

General Framework

Conservation and exploitation of marine resources
Reducing discards and by-catches
Rights-based management tools in fisheries
Indicators of fishing capacity and effort
Maximum sustainable yield

Specific provisions

Recovery of cod stocks
Deep-sea fish stocks
Conservation and management of sharks
Conservation of certain stocks of migratory fish
Removal of shark fins

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

General Framework

Strategy for the marine environment
Biodiversity strategy for 2020
Action Plan for biodiversity
Protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas from bottom fishing
Destructive fishing practices in the high seas and the protection of ecosystems

Specific provisions

Whaling
Water suitable for fish-breeding
Protecting cetaceans against incidental catch
International Dolphin Conservation Programme

AQUACULTURE

Building a sustainable future for aquaculture
Alien and locally absent species
Quality of shellfish waters
A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture

SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING

Fisheries control system
Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Strategy against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Community Fisheries Control Agency
Marine knowledge 2020
Community framework relating to scientific data and advice
Towards integrated maritime surveillance
Compliance work plan and scoreboard

External relations and enlargement

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External relations and enlargement

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about External relations and enlargement

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Maritime Affairs And Fisheries > External relations and enlargement

External relations and enlargement

The European Union Member States have to share an extremely mobile and often overtapped resource. The survival of the fisheries sector requires the implementation of common rules beyond Community waters. For this reason, on behalf of the European Union, the European Commission negotiates bilateral fisheries agreements with third countries, participates in various regional fisheries organisations (RFOs) and contributes to drawing up international agreements.
For that matter, the adoption of the Community fisheries laws by applicant countries is a prerequisite for the success of their EU membership process.

RELATIONS WITH NON-EU MEMBER COUNTRIES

Dimension extérieure de la politique commune de la pêche réformée
(FR)
Autorisation to fish in third-country waters
Partnership agreements with Non-EU Member Countries
Black Sea Synergy

REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Participation in Regional Fisheries Organisations

ENLARGEMENT

Ongoing enlargement

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Agriculture, fisheries and food safety
Croatia – Agriculture, fisheries and food safety
Turkey – Agriculture, fisheries and food safety
Iceland – Agriculture, fisheries and food safety

Enlargement of January 2007

Bulgaria
Romania

May 2004 enlargement

Cyprus
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
The Czech Republic
Slovakia
Slovenia