Activities of João PIMENTA LOPES related to 2021/2056(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (debate)
Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives
Amendments (109)
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the publication of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) of 20 August 2019 entitled ‘The 20192021 Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet’ (STECF 21-08),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— Having regard to the publication of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (STECF) of 2020 entitled 'Social Dimension of the CFP' (STECF- 20-14),
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
— Having regard to the publication of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (STECF) of 2019 entitled 'Social data in the EU fisheries sector',
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 c (new)
Citation 2 c (new)
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 d (new)
Citation 2 d (new)
— Having regard the scientific article entitled 'Small-Scale fisheries access to fishing opportunities in the European Union: Is the Common Fisheries Policy the right step to SDG14b?', Said A. et al (2020) Mar. Pol. 118,
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 e (new)
Citation 2 e (new)
— Having regard the study carried out for the PECH Committee entitled 'Small-scale Fisheries and “Blue Growth” in the EU', K. Stobberup et al (2017), European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies,
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— Having regarding to the publication of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization entitled of ‘The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in Action’ (SOFIA) 2020,
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
— Having regard to the publication entitled 'Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance', J.J.Pascual-Fernández et al. (eds.), MARE publication Series 23, 2020,
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 c (new)
Citation 6 c (new)
— Having regard to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) implementation report 2020;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 d (new)
Citation 6 d (new)
— having regard to the Ministerial Declaration on the Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (RPOA SSF) of 2018,
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas such a narrow definition of small-scale fishing leads to distortions in the proper consideration of vessels, disregarding the immense regional diversity among Member States and excluding vessels which, being larger than 12 m or operating traditional towed gear, should fall within this category, while at the same time not excluding situations that involve the use of a quantity of fishing gear not compatible with the concept of small-scale, coastal or artisanal fishing, or situations in which a significant number of vessels that should not fall within the scope of the definition are concentrated within a single shipowner or undertaking1a; _________________ 1a Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance, MARE publication
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas there are other, less strict approaches to the definition of small- scale, artisanal and coastal fishing, such as in the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication or in the discussion under way by the working group on small-scale fishing within the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in 20189 the EU Member States’ (MS) small-scale fisheries sector consisted inof a fleet of 447022 838 vessels, but only 7.5% of gross tonnage and 5.4% of landed weight, employing 62 650 fishers, accounting for 765% of the EU’s active fishing ships and 5048% of its crew but only 8% of gross tonnage and 5% of landings, employing 67 760 fisherscrew; whereas the large-scale fleet represents 19% of total vessels and 67% of gross tonnage, employing 46% of all fishers, and being responsible for 81% of the landed weight recorded in the EU MS; whereas the distant-water fleet has only 259 registered vessels, representing fewer than 1% of vessels but 19% of gross tonnage and 14% of total landed weight recorded in the EU MS;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas in addition to the minimal execution of the EMFF, and the very limited availability and execution rate of resources for vessel support (500 million), the small-scale fishing segment, given its size and importance, is the least supported segment, receiving the smallest share of funds: 38% of vessel-linked operations, representing 25% of the total sums associated with this support;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas over the years, support in the European Union has particularly benefited large-scale fishing, with only 7% of the funds for the sector having been made available to small-scale fishing, which creates a clear advantage for the former, making the economic viability of small-scale, artisanal and coastal fishing more precarious;1a _________________ 1a According to Schuhbauer et al. 2017, and in ‘Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance’, page 7
Amendment 56 #
Ac. whereas the limited level of support for small-scale fishing cannot be separated from the imbalance between the EMFF (which persists within the EMFAF) and the needs of the fisheries sector and this segment in particular, exacerbated by the excessive red tape and complexity of applications, the reduced range of eligible actions, the low co- financing rates, the long periods between application and approval, and the need to advance all funds since they are made available against reimbursement;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the small-scale fishing fleet is the fleet with the most limited available financial resources;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas due account needs to be taken of the marked differences between fleets, fleet segments, target species, fishing gear, productivity, consumption preferences and the amount of fish consumed per inhabitant in the various EU Member States, in addition to the special characteristics of fishing activity resulting from its social structure, forms of marketing and structural and natural inequalities between the various fishing regions;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the general characteristics of the small-scale fleet include very old segments and inadequate installed technology, highlighting the need for a specific support programme for small-scale fishing and strong public financial support for its modernisation and development, without which its continuity will be jeopardised;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, in 2019, 64.9% of the vessels in the EUE-28’s fishing fleet were 25 or more years old1a, for an average total fleet age of 29.9 years1-B, or 32.5 for the small-scale fishing fleet; , which necessarily implies that a very significant portion of the fleet is very old, thus not guaranteeing the best safety and operational conditions, increasing the associated risks and making operations more costly; _________________ 1a On the basis of the ratio of vessels more than 25 years old versus the total number of vessels: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/ view/FISH_FLEET_ALT__custom_1479 572/default/table?lang=en 1-B https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/facts_figure s_en?qt-facts_and_figures=2
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas small-scale fishing has a higher age profile, with 72% of its professionals over 40 years of age and 11% over 65 years of age;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the limited nature of the statistical data makes it difficult to complete an accurate analysis of the role of women in fisheries; whereas, however, empirical and practical knowledge of fishing demonstrates that women play a significant role in small-scale fishing, taking a more prominent role in its operation in some communities, having an important presence in shellfishing and taking a leading role on land in the preparation of operations and gear, and in the sale and processing of fish, particularly in the canning industry;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas, according to the report on the social dimension of fishing in the EU, women account for 5.4% of total employment in small-scale fishing (more than double that for large-scale or distant-water fishing);
Amendment 73 #
D. whereas the fishing sector plays a key role in supplying fish to the public and keeping food balances in equilibrium in the Member States and the EU, and whereas it plays a major role in the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities, local development, employment, the maintenance and creation of upstream and downstream economic activities, and the preservation of local cultural traditions;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the fisheries sector and small-scale fishing make an important contribution towards socio-economic well- being, employment and the promotion of economic and social cohesion in various coastal regions and Member States of the Outermost Regions (ORs), characterised by economies with permanent structural constraints and few possibilities for economic diversification;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the special characteristics and constraints of the ORs need to be acknowledged and taken into account when adopting measures, particularly measures relating to small-scale fishing;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas the vast majority of accidents and incidents on fishing vessels are due to human factors (62.4%), with system/equipment failures being the second most common cause (23.2% of cases);
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas in many circumstances small-scale fishing is carried out with only one professional on board;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas safety-related issues cannot be viewed separately from the characteristics of fishing fleets in the Member States, which are in many cases largely small-scale fleets; whereas sailing circumstances vary for that fleet; whereas part of that fleet operates from beaches or ports and harbours from which sailing conditions are very often precarious; whereas this situation must provide the opportunity to increase propulsion power to a level appropriate to the fleet’s characteristics and to sea conditions, which does not necessarily increase fishing effort and catches, with a view to making conditions for the fleet safer upon entering and exiting the sea; whereas the increase in engine power for these reasons should be financed through subsidies; whereas, for these reasons, EMFAF support should also be available for port and harbour dredging operations;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas small-scale fishing activity is much more dependent on sea conditions than large-scale fishing, which leads, depending on the type of vessel and gear, to greater irregularity in fishing periods, thus affecting the number of working days per year on which sailings are possible;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas, despite small-scale fishing’s importance in the EU, it accounts for a substantially smaller share of the sector’s total income than large-scale and distant-water fishing, totalling, in 2019, revenues of EUR 1 025 billion and gross added value of EUR 679 million, as opposed to large-scale fishing with revenues of EUR 4.3 billion and gross added value of EUR 2.4 billion or distant- water fishing with revenues of EUR 978 million and gross added value of EUR 301 million;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas during the pandemic, declines in landings and fish value for small-scale fishing were higher than those for large-scale fishing;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas many of the causes of the worsening socio-economic situation in the sector have still to be addressed, including the undervaluing and inadequate pricing of fish at first sale, which is totally beyond the control of producers, subject to the speculative pressure of the parasitic activity of intermediaries, and is the main cause of the inadequate distribution of the value of the work produced in the sector and the low profitability of fishing;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas, although small-scale fishing has a higher potential gross added value, for reasons linked to better fish quality, fishing yields remain low owing to production costs and the pricing of fish at first sale, which contrasts with retail prices;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas the inequality between the income levels of those who fish for a living and other population groups is clear; whereas an increase in their individual earnings needs to be secured;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas earnings are very unequally distributed between industrial fisheries on the one hand, which tend to take a more destructive approach to resources, and small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries on the other; whereas boosting incomes from fishing by adding value to fish at first sale can make a significant contribution to promoting a reduction in fishing effort and hence in catches, thereby contributing to the more sustainable management of resources;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas the lack of income- and wage-security for fishing professionals is particularly acute in small-scale fishing as a result of the way in which the sector is marketed, the way in which first-sale prices are set and the irregular characteristics of the activity, which implies, among other aspects, the need to maintain adequate public, national and EU financing for the sector;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Recital N a (new)
Na. whereas fishing professionals are often paid low wages coupled with difficult – often precarious – working conditions in a profession that remains the most dangerous in the world, while the rising costs associated with starting up and concentration of activity make fishing less attractive, particularly to young people;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas earnings from small-scale fisheries are considerably depressed by operating costs, particularly due to the cost of fuel, which often requires an increase in fishing effort;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas, despite their objectives, successive reforms of the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO), particularly the aquaculture market, have not helped as they should have done to improve earnings in the sector, secure market stability, improve the marketing of fisheries products or increase their added value;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Recital O b (new)
Ob. whereas the current sales dynamic does not allow fluctuations in production factor costs, fuel costs included, to be passed on in fish prices, and whereas average first-sale prices have not kept pace with the trend in end consumer prices;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas there is a need to determine a fisheries resource management policy that respects collective access to fishery resources, is based primarily on their biological aspects and should take the form of a fisheries co- management system that takes account of the specific conditions of fishery resources and the respective sea areas, with the effective participation of those working in the sector;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P b (new)
Recital P b (new)
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P c (new)
Recital P c (new)
Pc. whereas from a historical perspective in terms of the balance between small-scale and large-scale fishing, there has been a shift away from traditional fishing towards less traditional production methods, distorting the balance in favour of large-scale fishing1a; _________________ 1a according to Social Dimension of the CFP (STECF-20-14), page 23
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P d (new)
Recital P d (new)
Pd. whereas in the context of the European Union, and in comparison with industrial fishing, small-scale fishing has been ignored not only by legislators, but also by researchers1a; _________________ 1a according to Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance, page 28
Amendment 167 #
Pe. whereas the landing obligation potentially has a greater impact on small- scale fishing, despite a lower discard rate, owing to a number of factors, with studies suggesting that the evidence points to the fact that in the short to medium term the landing obligation has more negative social, economic and ecological impacts than benefits1a; whereas, as a result, the current review of the control regulation does not differentiate small-scale fishing, where the impact of the application of what is already known about that regulation will be felt most acutely and negatively; _________________ 1a according to Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance, page 38
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P f (new)
Recital P f (new)
Pf. a. whereas there is a need to ensure that the possible and necessary exploitation of the many other assets of the maritime space – energy, mining, nautical or tourist activities, and even offshore aquaculture, among others – does not undermine the guarantee of fishers’ historic rights of access to exploitation of the sea;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P g (new)
Recital P g (new)
Pg. whereas factors such as tourism (which benefit fishing communities and small-scale fishing in terms of communication strategies) have contributed to gentrification of the areas where these communities are located, raising the cost of housing and pushing fishers to move away from their places of activity, creating constraints on access to their work tools (vessels, warehouses, gear, etc.);
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P h (new)
Recital P h (new)
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P i (new)
Recital P i (new)
Pi. whereas the substantial growth in recreational fishing and maritime tourism (to which many EU funds have been diverted) represents growing competition for fish stocks; whereas, apart from a fraction associated with subsistence fishing, this type of activity has, in several countries, supplanted small-scale fishing, creating competition for resources (which can reach 43% of total catches of some species)1a; _________________ 1a according to Small-scale Fisheries in Europe: Status, Resilience and Governance, page 10
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P j (new)
Recital P j (new)
Pj. whereas the fishing sector in general and small-scale fishing in particular are under-represented when defining fisheries management policies and policies on the use of maritime space;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P k (new)
Recital P k (new)
Pk. whereas there are various types of fishery producer organisations, with different levels of membership representing small-scale fishing: from producer organisations (POs), to fishers’ associations, shipowners’ associations and cooperatives, among others; whereas many small shipowners are not affiliated to any organisation; whereas professionals in the fishing industry have their representative organisations in the fisheries trade unions; whereas it should be up to the sector to determine how it organises itself;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P l (new)
Recital P l (new)
Pl. whereas the disaggregation of data is inadequate, which makes access to detailed information difficult, particularly where small-scale fishing is concerned, and hampers analysis, namely in terms of breaking down undertakings, shipowners, fishing professionals, vessels and gear, working conditions, age and gender, among other things;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P m (new)
Recital P m (new)
Pm. whereas local management, involving communities and the sector, is the most effective way of ensuring the supply of fish and improving fishers’ living and working conditions through sustainable management of resources;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P n (new)
Recital P n (new)
Pn. whereas 2022 is the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that the future of small-scale, coastal and artisanal fishing depends on immediate, meaningful and effective measures to increase fishing incomes, empower the fleeis segment, to enhance the profession’s attractiveness and provide training and targeted support for young people and to improve operating conditions, in particular for the inclusion of women on board; calls on the Commission, therefore, working in close cooperation with the Member States, to establish and implement support mechanisms for small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries that make it possible to tackle the specific problems in this part of the sector;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes the view that a broader and more appropriate definition of small- scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries should be considered, which would alternatively cover those vessels whose time at sea (trip duration) does not exceed 24 hours and whose fish is sold fresh, with a maximum trip duration of 36 hours being allowed for the local fleet of the outermost regions and remote islands; also takes the view that it should be up to the Member States, on the basis of justifiable reasons of local historical tradition, to propose extending the concept of ‘small-scale fishing’ to fishing carried out by other vessels, provided that the gear used is highly selective and has a low impact on the marine ecosystem;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Affirms the need to strengthen the sector’s value chain and promote marketing strategies, fostering mechanisms that improve the first-sale price, so as to benefit fishersincluding through prices differentiated by product, so as to benefit fishers, increasing the remuneration for their work, and promoting a fair and appropriate distribution of added value throughout the sector’s value chain, reducing intermediation margins, maximising the prices paid for production and containing the prices paid in final consumption;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls, with a view to distributing added value more fairly and properly along the sector’s value chain, for consideration to be given to forms of intervention along the lines of guarantee prices or maximum profit rates in order to achieve the above aim and improve fishers’ incomes; reiterates that when there are serious imbalances within the chain, Member States should have the power to intervene, for instance by setting maximum operating margins for each agent in the chain;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points to the need for ambitious revision of the CMO for fishery products with a view to increasing its contribution to the sector’s income, market stability, and better marketing of fishery products and an increase in their added value;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Highlights the need for production costs to be one of the variables to take into account when determining guide prices;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that measures are needed to defend or create markets of origin, thereby advocating short sales channels for traditional products and promoting and defending the particularintrinsic qualityies of fish from small-scale fishing, supported at trade fairs, small shops and restaurants, taking into account the population’s eating habits, as a way of maximising the value of local fishery products and promoting local development;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that markets of origin can contribute to promoting the protection of endemic and local species and the protection of local consumer preferences, in particular as regards inland waters; considers that habitat destruction and the increased presence of invasive species can reduce the availability of such species for small-scale fishing, and that reversing this situation can be leveraged by supporting small-scale fish farmers who contribute to production and restocking;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Warns of the difficulties that the fisheries sector is still experiencing, which have now been aggravated by rising fuel prices, a situation that particularly affects the less competitive fleet segments, namely small-scale, artisanal and coastal fishing;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers that co-financing rates should be increased in support of engine replacement, with a view to replacing engines with more efficient options, moving towards regulation and support for the conversion of petrol engines to LPG or natural gas, or support for hybrid and electric engines;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Warns that many of these alternative motorisation solutions are not yet sufficiently developed or involve, as in the case of electric motors, a significant increase in gross tonnage;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Calls on the Member States to consider better ways to promote the marketing of processed fishery products with higher added value, including canned products, following the example of certain agricultural products, and programmes for the external promotion of EU fishery products, including their presentation at international competitions and fairs;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Urges the Member States also to promote the exploitation of marketable by-catch species and species of lower commercial value as a way of contributing to better resource management and improved yields by promoting a more diverse range of species consumed;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Considers that the existence of storage conditions in ports could guarantee the preservation of fish and manage commercial placement in line with the first-sale prices charged, seeking to improve the profitability of fish by acting indirectly in price formation;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Commission to allow, under the aegis of EMFAF, support to be provided once again for the installation of infrastructures for storage, freezing and refrigeration, as a decisive element enabling full advantage to be taken of fisheries resources – without destroying or depleting stocks – and ensuring a regular supply of fresh high-quality products to the public and the food processing industry;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes the view that the EMFAF should lend support to small-scale fishing as a priority, with a view to ensuring the sustainability and future viability of the countless coastal communities that are traditionally dependent on fishing so as to address the specific problems of this segment and support local, sustainable management of the fisheries involved and the development of coastal communities;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that support under the EMFAF should be marshalled to address market failures, thereby contributing to increased incomes from fishing, promoting jobs with rights in the sector and ensuring fair prices for producers, increasing the added value of fish and supporting the development of related activities, upstream and downstream of fishing, contributing to the development and cohesion of coastal regions within a framework of sustainable fishing;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Regrets that the current regulation does not contain a specific chapter and appropriations for small-scale fishing or clauses ensuring that this segment is the one to which support is allocated as a priority;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that, with a view to improving the execution rate of EMFAF financing and ensuring this part of the sector has access to support, it is necessary to: (1) look into and implement measures to streamline procedures, thus reducing the red tape, complexity and approval time surrounding applications; (2) amend the funding process for receiving aid and replace it with a system of pre- financing; raise the fund’s financing limits;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Maintains that the continuous fall in EU support for the sector under successive multiannual financial frameworks, and in particular the cut in funding for the European Fisheries Fund/European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the COM, is one of the factors which has been serving to worsen the situation in the sector; reiterates, therefore, that the EU’s financial support for the fisheries sector needs to be stepped up considerably;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Warns of the high average age of the fleet in small-scale fishing, which means a programme to renew and update the small-scale fleet is needed with a view to improving safety and on-board living conditions, improving energy efficiency and being more environmental sustainability, whilely friendly, ensuring the social and economic sustainability of the fishing communities that depend on the fleet, addressing situations where vessels become obsolete and the increasing operating (economic and environmental), maintenance and reclassification costs, which compromise guaranteed safety conditions in operation;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers, therefore, that EMFAF must provide funding opportunities for the renewal, upgrading or even resizing of the small-scale coastal and artisanal fleet, especially in the cases identified where this fleet is of an advanced average age and does not guarantee essential conditions of safety and operability, as well as for the increase in engine power when justified in order to ensure better safety conditions for entry and exit from the sea or, in the case of the outermost regions, to increase the time spent at sea without increasing fishing effort capacity;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that there is no direct correlation between engine power and fishing effort; points out that in many circumstances engine power is essential and decisive for safety on board, whether entering or leaving ports and harbours, navigating according to sea conditions, or manoeuvring certain gear; also considers that in some circumstances, the possibility of shortening journey times to and from fishing grounds, coupled with improved engine efficiency, could contribute to fish recovery and fishing income;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Deplores the fact that EMFAF negotiations have not considered these options and draws attention to the importance of reversing the outcome on this specific aspect as soon as possible;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Recalls that professional maritime activities in general are considered to be high risk and hazardous, in particular fishing, a situation that is aggravated in small-scale fishing, which is exposed to greater risks caused by adverse weather conditions and operation in places close to the coast and when entering and leaving ports and harbours; points out that the risks associated with fishing are still related to the advanced age of a significant portion of the fleet, fishing effort and the corresponding number of hours, which are in turn determined by the need to ensure fishing income;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the Member States to ensure that the best safety, labour and living standards are in place on board fishing vessels, irrespective of their size, taking into account the specificities associated with the size of the vessels and the types of fishing operations for which they are intended;
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the importance of the small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries sector in the socio-economic situation, employment and promotion of economic and social cohesion in the outermost regions (ORs), areas that are characterised by economies with permanent structural constraints and few opportunities for economic diversification;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes it essential, therefore, to maintain and step up EU support for the fisheries sector in those regions, with a view, in particular, to offsetting the additional costs of remoteness when it comes to selling certain fishery products from some ORs;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that the future of small- scale fishing requires that states and public policymakers take a more active role, contrary to the logic that the market and ever-greater concentration in the sector must prevail, alongside other supranational constraints;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Believes that the future of small- scale fishing requires that its specific nature be recognised in the common fisheries policy and that the present instruments be adapted in order to meet the needs of this sector;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that the objectives of a fisheries policy should include guaranteeing the supply of fish to the public – as part of ensuring food security and sovereignty – developing coastal communities, and promoting fisheries- related professions and recognising the social role they play in providing jobs and improving the living conditions of fishers, with the improvement of working conditions, habitability and safety, in order to attract young people and achieve a generational renewal of this activity, within a framework of guaranteed sustainability and good resource conservation;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Affirms, therefore, the need for a reform of the common fisheries policy that guarantees Member States’ sovereignty over their Exclusive Economic Zones, promotes the decentralisation of fisheries management and local management, and modernises the fisheries sector, particularly in small- scale, coastal and artisanal fishing, with the aim of ensuring its socio-economic viability;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Considers the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication to be a valuable contribution in defining a framework to safeguard, maximise and promote small-scale fishing within the context of a fisheries management policy;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates that the reality of fisheries in the EU is complex and varies widely from Member State to Member State, and reaffirms that this great diversity requires management at local level; – in terms of the respective fishing fleets, fishing gear, fish stocks and their state of conservation, and the consumption habits of the population; and reaffirms that this great diversity requires management at local level, that takes into account the specific characteristics of each country and each fishing zone, promotes dialogue, involves the sector and coastal communities in the decision- making process, in defining and implementing policies, and is based on scientific knowledge, which requires the development of research and sustained efforts to support research institutes and laboratories in this area with material and human resources;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Takes the view that the current review of the control regulation should take account of the realities of small- scale, coastal and artisanal fishing and preserve the series of derogations currently in force, so that its final wording does not contribute to the decline of this segment or promote a concentration of activity;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Considers that diversification of activities in the broader sustainable blue economy is important, entailing shoring up the culture of communities, promoting fishing by-products and products that, while they have potential, have no commercial value; considers, however, that such activities should not compromise fishing activity or fishers’ historic rights to the sea;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 d (new)
Paragraph 22 d (new)
22d. Considers that the definition of Marine Protected Areas and other conservation areas should serve and fit in with Member States’ development strategies and should ensure the appropriate and active participation of the fisheries sector, in particular the small- scale, coastal and artisanal fisheries segment;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Proposes that the EMFAF couldoints out the need, as a means to protect earnings from fishing, to provide the sector and its workers with proper economic and social compensation to offset the resource conservation measures being imposed or temporary cessation assistance for the purposes of resource management; proposes, to this end, that the EMFAF support the establishment of a wage compensation fund that makes up for all lost earnings and covers non-fishing periods and that such periods be treated as actual working time for the purposes of the retirement pension and other social security entitlements;
Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Advocates, furthermore, the creation of a guaranteed minimum wage for fishing, established in accordance with the local practices for collective bargaining and negotiation in each Member State.
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls for sea conditions to be taken into account among the criteria considered when determining fishing periods;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Considers that fishing is fundamental to the livelihood and to the preservation of the cultural heritage of many coastal communities, in particular where small-scale fishing plays an important role.
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Believes that if we wish to see generational renewal there must be attractive conditions for young people, which means increasing fisheries incomes and ensuring training under conditions that pay due account to the diverse fishing practices, fishing gear and needs of each Member State; considers that the EMFAF should implement action to promote training and professional development, as well as maximising income and job security; considers that training should guarantee a strong practical component, locally, geared to the specific reality of the national, regional or local context in which it takes place, making it possible to link up with activity in addition to and at the same time as theoretical training, and integrating the accumulated knowledge of those who have been or are at sea into the body of training provided;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers it appropriate to strengthen cooperation with a view to recognising basic training provided by schools or educational institutions that are recognised by the national education systems of each Member State or third country and which are internationally recognised;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take the action needed to maintain and boost systems and means of support, including funding, in order to promote concentration of supply, including by providing real support for the establishment and operation of producer organisations (POs), particularly for small-scale coastal and artisanal fishing;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24c. Maintains that operational programmes should encourage producer organisations – by providing the necessary financial support – to market their products directly, working within the value chain, since this would enable them to maximise production and increase the added value of fishery products;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 d (new)
Paragraph 24 d (new)
24d. Considers that building points of unity into the diverse range of organisations representing the sector would be an important element in defending its claims and ensuring that it is duly taken into account in defining fisheries management policies and policies for the use of maritime space;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the financial and technical resources for fisheries research in each Member State to be increased with a view to developing activities targeted at fisheries andpromoting small-scale, coastal and artisanal fisheries and guaranteeing better understanding and conservation of fishery resources, stepping up and improving data collection and the assessment of the state of resources.
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Member States to ensure proper collection and disaggregation of data on fisheries, including associated activities and social and economic aspects, particularly on small-scale fisheries and the communities associated with them;
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Suggests improving investment in scientific research and development and in obtaining statistical data on catches and landings with a view to better resource management in the sector, and analysis of other commercial uses and of the various causes of the depletion of fish stocks;
Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Takes the view, however, that the necessary setting of environmental objectives must go hand in hand with defining social and economic objectives, the interdependence and consideration of which are crucial for any fisheries policy;