Activities of Grace O'SULLIVAN related to 2021/2188(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
A sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of fisheries and aquaculture (short presentation)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on Toward a sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors
Amendments (55)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to Articles 3, 4, 13, 38, 43 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the opinion by the European Committee of the Regions of 2 December 2021 on the sustainable blue economy and aquaculture (NAT- VVI/020),
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
— having regard to the resolution by the European Parliament of 16 January 2018 on 'International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans in the context of the 2030 SDGs' (2017/2055(INI)),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 b (new)
Citation 13 b (new)
— having regard to the 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP) and the concepts enshrined therein, such as the Planetary Boundaries and ecological limits,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the blue economy that develops within ecological limits, and hence the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, must respect the environmental, social and economic pillars across the board in order to be considered sustainable;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas EU fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities are already impacted by the effects of climate change;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is fundamental to the health of the oceans, which contain millions of species, and hence to the health and survival of the planet, and hence providing the basis for marine and maritime economic activities;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas significant parts of the oceans and sea floor remain unexplored , in particular the deep sea, and whereas further research is needed to ensure that any activities under the Blue Economy will be fully sustainable;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the health and wellbeing of aquatic animals is linked to the quality of food products, whereas poor animal welfare and husbandry can increase the risk of disease and illness;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas agriculture on land has a significant impact on marine ecosystems and fisheries, in particular the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers and the eutrophication of aquatic environments;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G d (new)
Recital G d (new)
Gd. whereas the 2020 objectives to achieve Good Environmental Status for European Seas and to end overfishing have not been achieved;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Recital G e (new)
Ge. whereas bottom-trawling represents the most widespread source of human-induced physical disturbance to global seabed habitats; whereas recent estimates suggest that bottom-trawling may release as much CO2 into the water column as the entire aviation industry into the atmosphere by disturbing seabed sediments that are critical reservoirs for long-term carbon storage, while also contributing to ocean acidification and undermining marine productivity and biodiversity;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the EU is a net importer of fisheries and aquaculture products;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas oil and gas exploration, combined with the large-scale exploitation of offshore renewable energy resources, may generate competition, pollution and sea space management conflicts that mainly affect fishing activities, in particular small-scale fisheries and coastal communities; whereas the Paris agreement's goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre- industrial levels;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas a proposal for legally binding nature restoration targets needs to be drawn up under the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in line with the objective of protecting 30% of the EU maritime area, of which 10% should be subject to strict conservation measures; whereas these restoration targets must be additional to existing obligations under the relevant EU Directives (such as the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive);
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas it is necessary to have a global vision and framework for the management and conservation of marine resources;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas, when it comes to diversifying consumption, access to information about nutritional values, provenance orand place of production is fundamental to consumer behaviour;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission's new sustainable EU blue economy strategy; regrets, however, the lack of specific objectives for the different sectors, in particular fisheries and aquaculture; points out that new action planlegislative proposals must always be based on the best available scientific knowledgadvice and on environmental, social and economic impact studieassessments;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises that to remain within planetary boundaries, the sustainable blue economy must develop within ecological limits and foster a healthy marine environment;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to establish legally binding instruments to make the blue economy ‘greener’ and to align it with the overall objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of establishing bilateral partnership arrangements with third countries that enshrine labour standards guaranteeing a safe working environment and decent pay for all those working in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, as well as other sectors of the blue economy: stresses that bilateral partnership arrangements should always seek to respect the highest environmental sustainability criteria and based on and following the best available scientific advice;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls the EU’s commitment to the principle of policy coherence for development; calls for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements to be aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with the EU environmental obligations and Common Fisheries Policy objectives;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Notes that the production of fishmeal and fish oil contributes to overfishing in developing countries’ waters; calls for measures to ensure that the supply chain is fair, traceable and free of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Expresses concern that sectoral support provided by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) often does not directly benefit local fisheries and coastal communities in third countries and, accordingly; calls on the Commission to link SFPAs closely with EU sustainable development programming;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission to actively pursue and promote the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation goals in its Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements' (SFPAs) and in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations' (RFMOs) decision-making;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls on the EU and its Member States to step up its efforts to improve global fisheries governance, notably through mechanisms such as the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI);
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the sustainable management of resources based on the best available scientific knowledgadvice must be a key priority in order to attain the goals on the EU strategic agenda and must also be included in bilateral partnership arrangements;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to the designation of three vast marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean; regrets that the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) once again failed to reach agreement on these protected areas in 2021;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on Member States to fully utilise the transparent and objective criteria as laid out in Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy when allocating fishing opportunities;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes with concern that the growth of new blue economy activities ismay result ing in to increased competition for space at the expense of more traditional activities, such as fishing; calls, therefore, for a strategy to promote interaction between the different maritime and terrestrial blue economy activities in a way that will benefit them all;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Urges the Commission to support the development of community-led energy production schemes, which allows coastal communities, including fishers, to participate fully in the planning and development of renewable energy production while reinvesting profits back into the local community;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the creation of an EU forum for dialogue that is transparent and ensures participation of and a balance of power between all stakeholders, in a bid to foster intersectoral cooperation, experience sharing and conflict resolution;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Commission and the Member States to take specific actions to boost investment in the fisherifacilitate access to and fully utilise available investment possibilities for sustainable fishing practices and for aquaculture sectorsactivities that meet the relevant criteria for energy and resource consumption and animal welfare, under the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), together with other EU programmes such as the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the need to develop more comprehensive strategies to adapt the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to the fallout from climate change in view of its impact on communities and their livelihoods; stresses the need that all sectors need to contribute to the mitigation of climate change in line with the European Green Deal and the 7th and 8th Environmental Action Programme;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that greater job security and, occupational safety and healthy oceans providing better earnings in the fisheries sector are essential if it is to attract newcomers, thereby ensuring its rejuvenation and continued survival;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the Commission’s focus on sustainable and ‘slow’ tourism and the aim to develop support packages (‘Blueprint for Local Green Deals’) to support a green transition for cities and regions; notes the potential for remote islands and coastal communities to play a leading role in this transition;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to protect the rights and working conditions of third-country nationals working on EU vessels;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Stresses the need to implement an integrated ecosystem-based approach to all sectors of the blue economy;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Warns that the dumping of waste at sea is harmful to the environment, results in heavy economic losses to the fisheries sector and other activities, and affects human health through the entire food chain; welcomes EMFAF decision to provide funding for fishermen to passively recover and collect refuse and lost fishing gear;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that diversification of fish species in EU aquaculture, including a focus on low-trophic and non-carnivorous species, is required to improve the sustainability of EU aquaculture;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Highlights the potential role of aquaculture, particularly in easing the transition to sustainable food systems, thereby reducing the pressure on marine resources if using feed sources different than wild caught fish, and reversing the loss of biodiversity in the oceans and seas;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes that the increased use of fishmeal and fish oil in EU aquaculture can threaten the sustainability of wild fish stocks in EU and third country waters;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Believes it necessary to promote sustainable aquaculture models that could contribute to the conservation of ecosystems affording protection against the effects of climate change; underlines the importance of differentiating between production and protein-processing aquaculture, particularly when the latter involves practices that put pressure on the sustainability of marine resources in other parts of the world;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the CFP to be applied across the board to all EU fishing fleets, to reduce the impact of their particular activities on habitats, marine ecosystems, other resources and other species, while maintaining stocks above the biomass levels necessary to generatrestoring and maintaining populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yields;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Highlights the role of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in energy transition, mitigating and combating climate change, through decarbonisation and through the promotion of activities such as passive marine refuse collection that are conducive to a circular economy;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for legally binding EU targets for the recovery and conservation of marine biodiversity and the restoration of degraded ecosystems; calls for 30% of European marine degraded and carbon- rich ecosystems to be restored by 2040 with an intermediate target of 15 % by 2030;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls for measures to address the detrimental impacts of bottom-contacting gear on marine ecosystems and EU carbon emissions;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Stresses that the deep sea is home to the greatest diversity of species and ecosystems on Earth, providing critical environmental goods and services, including long-term carbon sequestration, and that it is characterised by environmental conditions that make it highly vulnerable to human disturbance; calls on the Commission and Member States therefore to support an international moratorium on deep seabed mining;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Calls on the Commission and Member States to set concrete deadlines to phase out harmful subsidies and instead direct funding towards sustainable innovation and support for coastal communities, consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the 8th Environment Action Programme, and the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses the need for collaborative, inclusive and cross-sectoral maritime spatial planning;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses the need to harmonise data collection on environmental monitoring as well as the monitoring of living ecosystems and fish stocks; stresses that the data collected should be made publicly available and also be factored in so as to regulate the impact of other maritime activities;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to review the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive; calls on the Commission, in the event of a revision, to align the Directive with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 and the 8th Environment Action Programme;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Highlights the importance of modernising effective control and monitoring measures in EU fisheries, including Remote Electronic Monitoring and electronic logbooks;