Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-02-28-Speech-3-192"
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"en.20010228.11.3-192"2
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". – The protocol of the fisheries agreement between the Union and Equatorial Guinea expired at the end of last June. It was therefore decided to extend the protocol by one year and a new protocol was initialled by both parties on 16 June 2000.
This new protocol fixes the technical and financial conditions governing the fishing activities of Community vessels in the waters of Equatorial Guinea during the period 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. The protocol concerns tuna only. It is important as it will ensure the continuity of Community tuna activities in the Gulf of Guinea. There has been an uptake of licences by French, Spanish, Portuguese and one Italian vessel.
The current proposal is a result of problems which transpired during the negotiations for the conclusion of a new protocol. The delegation from Equatorial Guinea encountered several difficulties in attending meetings with the Commission. Although these problems have now been resolved, there was not sufficient time for substantial negotiations to be undertaken. The current proposal, which I support, will ensure continuity while negotiations for a new protocol are carried out in the course of this year. The current agreement provides little in the way of serious targeted measures and contains no provisions to ensure their transparent implementation or any assessment of the result. A project aimed at setting up a proper system for fisheries management in Guinea must be embarked upon, so as to ensure that Atlantic yellow fin tuna and big-eye tuna stocks are not increasingly over-exploited.
An explicit reference to the application of ICAT rules should be included in the text of the next protocol. I support the Commission’s approach that in future negotiations with third countries, there should be a high percentage of special measures. This should also be the case with Equatorial Guinea. As rapporteur, I can support the proposed extension of the protocol for one year. I would stress the need for greater efforts to ensure that any new protocol is subject to a proper control system and that there is adequate transparency in the operation of the agreement. I would urge the Commission to bear this in mind during the forthcoming negotiations.
The three amendments which I have tabled are consistent with the points I have just raised and they are also consistent with the traditional approach of this Parliament.
I would like in conclusion to point out that the Council had already adopted this proposal last Monday. Of course, this is nothing new. It happens on a regular basis and we all have an opportunity to make it very clear to the Commission in this debate that we do not accept this. Of course, it has happened time and time again and we must do something to try and control this. This is something that all of us on the Fisheries Committee regret. It poses the question as to whether the work carried out in the committee and today’s debate have been a total waste of time. I would hope not but I would sincerely hope that the Commission and the Council will take on-board the recommendations contained in my report before adopting a more permanent protocol.
Finally I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute and thank the secretariat of the Fisheries Committee for their assistance and also the secretariat in my own group."@en1
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