Delete Article 47

In a press release issued today we have called for Article 47 to be deleted from the draft of the new Community Fisheries Control Regulation.

PRESS RELEASE ::

The EU is seeking powers to restrict cod catches, if it shown recreational sea angling has a significant impact on cod stocks but the EU refuse to offer a definition of the term “significant”

After their initial response to the control regulations, SSACN held several meetings with Marine Scotland to discuss how Article 47 in the control regulation could affect recreational sea anglers.

“It was clear”, vice chairman Ian Burrett said  “Marine Scotland considered the initial text unworkable and suggested sea anglers could get dragged into other articles, which could have far reaching consequences for Scotland’s most participated coastal pastime”.

SSACN secretary Denis Kelly said “As a result SSACN contacted Struan Stevenson MEP who took the issues on board and it must be said did an excellent job in rallying MEP’s and European Parliament. Suggested amendments and counter suggestions resulted in what appeared to be an almost weekly climb downs by the EU”.

Ministers will discuss Article 47 at the Council (fisheries) meeting on the 19th October. Ministers might adopt a final text at their November meeting. The new Control Regulation shall take effect 1 January 2010

How could Article 47 effect Scottish anglers?

As it stands at the moment, Scottish anglers fishing for cod from a powered vessel may be asked to submit their catch returns. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) will evaluate the data and if they consider the impact to be significant then RSA will be allocated a share of the Scottish commercial quota which is likely to come from the already struggling under 10 metre boats. 

Denis went onto say, “After careful consideration SSACN has decided to call on the Council to delete Article 47 as we have consistently asked for a definition for the word “significant” in Article 47(4) and until one is given, SSACN cannot recommend an acceptance of Article 47. 

In consultation with Marine Scotland officials, they have stated that it is unlikely Scottish RSA will have a significant impact, but to be frank, that is just their opinion and cannot be verified.”

SSACN also need assurance that any perceived “significant impact” like the Baltic Cod problem with German sea anglers will not cause blanket limits across the whole of Europe, which most likely will mean too little quota for some member states.

In SSACN’s opinion, the Quota implications as set out in Art 47(5) are not well thought-out and might have severe implications for the relative stability of the quota system. Member states might be confronted with unsolvable questions as to the method for establishing a share of the current quota for recreational purposes.

The socio-economic consequences for coastal areas and businesses, many of which depend on RSA, could be dramatic.

ENDS
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Background – Article 47 Recreational fisheries

1. Member States shall ensure that recreational fisheries on their territory, and in Community waters are conducted in a manner compatible with the objectives and rules of the Common Fisheries Policy.
2. The marketing of catches from recreational fisheries shall be prohibited. 
3. Without prejudice to Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 of 25 February 2008 establishing a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy, Member States shall monitor, on the basis of a sampling plan, the catches of stocks subject to recovery plans by recreational fisheries practised from vessels flying their flag and from third country vessels, in waters subject to their sovereignty or jurisdiction. Fishing from shore shall not be included. 
4. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) shall evaluate the biological impact of recreational fisheries as referred to in paragraph 3. Where a recreational fishery is found to have a significant impact, the Commission may decide, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 111 to submit recreational fisheries as referred to in paragraph 3 to specific management measures such as fishing authorisations and catching declarations. 
5. Member States concerned by measures decided in accordance with paragraph 4 shall establish a share from their quotas to be used exclusively for the purpose of recreational fisheries. In such cases, catches shall be counted against the relevant quotas of the concerned Member State. 
6. Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 111.

Category: SSACN Announcements