Fisheries policy deal beckons as marine ministers start talks

Date: 28/11/02

By David Cronin

MARINE ministers are expected to edge towards a final deal on reforming the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) during three-day talks which kicked off this week.

The European Commission has been involved in intense dialogue with diplomats from member states since Franz Fischler, the fisheries commissioner, presented a blueprint for overhauling the CFP in May.

Fischler's spokesman Gregor Kreuzhuber said there is 'convergence' between national capitals on some of the principal questions. There is broad agreement, for instance, on the need for multi-annual plans on how much fish can be netted in the Union's waters. Such a deal should spell the end of the yearly haggling over fish quotas, traditionally in all-night talks.

Many states also concur that the Union should have uniform penalties for fishermen who flout rules covering areas such as what types of nets they may use and keeping correct data in their logbooks. 'We have to see similar sanctions,' added Kreuzhuber. 'One of the complaints of fishermen has been 'where's the level playing field'?'

However, strong opposition remains to Fischler's plan to prohibit the use of public aid for building new boats or modernising new ones. This is an integral part of a fleet reduction scheme, designed to deter overfishing.

Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Ireland are all opposed to the Fischler plan. Their combined votes in the Council of Ministers would be enough to block it. Yet there is speculation that Italy and Ireland would be willing to row in behind Fischler in return for concessions to minimise job losses.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/reform/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/reform/index_en.htm

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