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NEW measures to protect dolphins are due to be introduced by the European Union, according to South West MEP Caroline Jackson.
If adopted, the measures will be a significant victory for those who have been campaigning to reduce dolphin, porpoise, whale and other cetacean deaths.Dr Jackson said that details of the measures, which will be included in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, due to be discussed by the EC next week, were leaked to her on Tuesday.
The plan, to help protect cetaceans from being caught and killed in fishing nets, will involve changes in fishing practices and the placing of observers on board fishing vessels to monitor by-catches.
The plan was revealed to Dr Jackson by European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom at a conference in Brussels where both were speaking on the subject of the Sustainable Fisheries Policy.
Ms Wallstrom told Dr Jackson, who is chair of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, that the measures had been agreed between herself and Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler.
"This very welcome plan will provide reliable, environmental monitoring of how many dolphins are being killed and how, for the first time," said Dr Jackson. "The fact is that the European commissioners who want fisheries reform are now leaking details of what they have put in the package so as to prevent the Spanish undermining it.
"The commission as a whole is due to adopt the reform plan at its meeting on May 28. Then it will be up to the council to get a move on and adopt the new policy before the end of the year, otherwise the six and 12 mile national fishing limits will no longer apply, and anyone with a quota could legally fish right up to our coast."
This huge toll of cetacean deaths is believed to be a result of certain fishing practices. Particular concern is focused on the winter bass fishery and the practice of "pair trawling" in which two powerful trawlers pull a giant net between them.
In April it was revealed that, following a written request by the EC to all members states to supply infor mation on what steps they were taking to avoid the inadvertent capture of marine mammals by their fishermen, only eight had replied.
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