Dr F Fischler Discussion meeting with the Irish Fisheries Organisations p2 of 2

If we want to prevent yearly haggling over TAC's and quotas then multiannual management is our only chance.
I know that especially in Ireland you are not keen on fishing effort. Now, in some single-species fisheries, TACs and quotas may be sufficient. But in mixed fisheries we need effort control. All around Ireland, there are fisheries where cod, haddock, whiting and hake and other species such as plaice and megrims are caught together. With TACs and quotas only, fishing for megrim continues even when the cod quota is exhausted. Cod is still caught and whether it is discarded or landed illegally really makes no difference any more, because the fish are dead. This undermines all our conservation efforts for cod.

Therefore effort control is crucial to any effective conservation policy. Let me make it very clear for you: for me fishing effort is an essential element and I will not tolerate arguments that it is not manageable or not feasible. Without fishing effort I will not agree to any reform deal.

This brings me to fleet policy. Let's keep cod as an example.

How do you explain to the taxpayers in the current situation that you want to continue using public aid to modernise your vessel and thereby put even more pressure on stocks, especially the endangered ones?

I will no longer turn a blind eye to the fact that stocks are dwindling, some are even collapsing and fishermen are losing their money. Ever more vessel owners, especially the ones with modern and expensive vessels, are going bankrupt under the burden of their debts. This is leading to more unemployment in the sector.

Therefore we have to honour the decision taken in December 2001 by all Ministers to stop as of 1 January 2003 all public funding for modernising vessels or building new ones.

Public money will only be used for decreasing fishing pressure, upgrading security, working conditions and hygiene on board, changing to more selective fishing gears and for social measures.

Thus, contrary to what is often said in Ireland, your security on board the vessels will not suffer and stays a top priority.

I also have to point out that I am sick and tired reading over and over again, like in the Irish Times of last Friday, that we propose to cut the Irish whitefish fleet by 40%. This is simply not true. Nobody among you will be forced to scrap his vessel. It will be your choice whether you want to stay in business or if you want leave. All we do is make you a better offer than before by increasing the premium you would receive if you decide to leave the sector. Anybody who says something different is not stating the facts.

Moreover if we want to prevent other stocks from facing the same situation as cod today, we need effective and uniform control of fishing activities and we need more harmonised penalties. You need to be sure that infringements will be equally detected and sanctioned whether they occur in the Celtic Sea or in the Bay of Biscay.
This is why I propose to pool EU and national inspection resources.

I am convinced the management of stocks is only possible if all stakeholders are communicating. You must have the chance to understand how scientists come to their conclusions so that the fishing communities know what is in store.
And you must be able to discuss management alternatives with them. This is why I have proposed to set up regional advisory councils where you will meet together with scientists and other stakeholders. You can then work together and put forward ideas for fisheries management in your area. I am convinced that your direct involvement will be a bonus for us as we can benefit from your expertise.

Finally let me mention briefly that we are keeping relative stability including Hague Preferences and we also keep the 12 miles zones.

As far as the Irish Box is concerned you will by now all know about the legal discussions going on here. Whatever the outcome of these discussions is, one thing is legally clear: the transitional period for Spain runs out with New Years Eve 2002.

In practical terms this means that any rules which treat the Spanish fleet differently from others cannot be applied anymore. Therefore we have to find a way of preserving fish stocks and preventing fishing effort to increase in the Irish Box that treats all Member States in an equal way. The rules currently governing the Irish Box, I am speaking here about the 40 vessel limit for Spain, are discriminatory and must therefore be changed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Commission's goal is clear - to give EU fishermen a secure future. And this simply cannot happen if there are no fish left in the sea. You know how many jobs have been lost in the industry over the past decade, you know that measures are urgently needed to save our fisheries. Let's work together on this.

I am now pleased to take any questions you may have. Thank you for your attention.