Aug
29
(R-L) Commissioner Maria Damanaki and MEP Ana Miranda were present at the meeting to discuss artisanal fishing issues. (Photo: EC)
Artisanal fleet not subject to individual transferable quotas
SPAIN
Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 23:00 (GMT + 9)
Twenty-four representatives of the fishing industry in Galicia required the European Commission (EC) that the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) should guarantee a better deal for artisanal fishing.
The issue was discussed during a meeting held between delegates of the artisanal fishing sector, the Galician shellfish industry and the Commissioner of Fisheries of the European Union (EU), Maria Damanaki.
The visitors attended the meeting together with BNG MEP, Ana Miranda, and the regional parliamentarian of the same party, Bieito Lobeira.
One of the requests presented was that the artisanal fleet should be excluded from individual transferable quotas (ITQ) among entrepreneurs.
Damanaki granted the request but the definition of artisanal fleet remains unclear.
For the Galicians, the definition of a vessel having less than 12 metres is too simplistic. Therefore, they postulate that the barrier should be set at 15 metres, that the criteria of using selective gear should be included, that fishing trips should be less than 36 hours long and that vessels should belong to family owned companies, the newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported.
According to the Spanish delegates, the Commissioner agreed on providing as much information as possible about the product traceability and requested documentation on extensive aquaculture.
In this regard, it is intended to differentiate intensive aquaculture from extensive one, as is the case with industrial and artisanal fleets.
“We do not believe there could be quick actions but in this way, we consider the Spanish government and Xunta de Galicia will also listen to us and will take our needs into account,” said Andrés García, main chief of the fishermen’s association of Sada and representative of the Purse Seine Shipowners’ Association of Galicia, as Faro de Vigo reported.
“Furthermore, I will explain the need for the separation of the Galician fleet from that of other communities and for Galicia to unify in a single fishing area. We need a stock study of the species and to monitor who captures them,” he added
Meanwhile, Miranda said Damanaki committed to “evaluating” the possibility that “there should be a specific funding” for the artisanal fleet from 2014.
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member European Commission – Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
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