Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241
This resolution objects to a European Commission regulation aimed at reducing accidental catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay. The Parliament believes the regulation is based on insufficient and potentially flawed data. The regulation affects fishing activities in the Bay of Biscay, specifically impacting French and Spanish vessels. It is estimated to cause significant economic damage to the fishing industry, potentially leading to bankruptcies and job losses. The Parliament argues that the data used to justify the regulation lacks transparency and has not adequately considered the socio-economic consequences for fishermen. It calls for independent verification of the data and better long-term observation systems. The resolution instructs the Parliament's President to inform the Commission that the delegated regulation cannot enter into force. This action is taken following objections raised by MEPs regarding the scientific basis and economic impact of the proposed measures.
Analysis
The European Parliament objects to the Commission delegated regulation concerning measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay.
What changes
- The Commission proposed a delegated regulation to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 concerning measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay.
Expected impact
- The socio-economic impact of a ban introduced by a French decree is estimated at around EUR 100 million for the fishing industry.
- The extension of French measures caused damage in 2024, preventing 400 French and 40 Spanish vessels from fishing.
- European maritime cooperatives on the Atlantic seaboard face bankruptcy and are considering redundancy plans due to the ban.
Limitations
- The document is a motion for a resolution and does not contain the full text of the Commission Delegated Regulation it objects to.
- Specific details of the measures proposed in the delegated regulation, beyond the general aim of reducing incidental catches, are not fully elaborated in this resolution.
- The analysis of the scientific data and the transparency of the Pelagis Observatory are presented from the perspective of the motion's authors.
Some data sources haven't been updated in over 48 hours.