THE POLITICAL DEBATE IN LONDON, EDINBURGH AND BRUSSELS

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1107/02
by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission
(05 April 2002)
Subject: Increase in deaths of dolphins

Is the Commission aware of the recent deaths of dolphins off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall?

Will the Commission consider compulsory monitoring of all cetacean bycatch in pelagic trawl fisheries?

Question not yet published in the OJ

E-1107/02EN
Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission
(22 May 2002)

The Commission is aware of the problem posed by pelagic trawls operating in the Celtic Sea and Western Channel, where important by-catch of dolphins takes place every winter.
The Commission intends to design a comprehensive plan to protect cetaceans from the effects of fishing at the Community scale.

Notwithstanding the obligations set up by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora , this plan will include systematic monitoring of by-catch by observers on board as well as technical measures to mitigate the mortality of cetaceans due to fishing. It is expected that the scientific and technical basis that will support such a plan will be made available around June 2002.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1606/02
by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission
(27 May 2002)

Subject: Dolphin Deaths

In the Commission's view, is it likely that the number of dolphins caught and killed annually in EU waters as a by-catch of commercial fishing currently exceeds the benchmark of 1.7% of population defined in the Habitats Directive as 'unacceptable'?
Does the Commission have concerns about the effect of pair trawling in the light of reports for albacore tuna that in 1999 a catch of 30 dolphins was recorded in a single net haul?
What research is the Commission currently undertaking in this field, and what steps does it propose to take in order to ensure that the number of dolphins caught in EU waters does not exceed sustainable levels?

Question not yet published in the OJ