DUTCH PARLIAMENT BACKS SANCTIONS AGAINST ICELAND, FAROES
EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, September 13, 2012, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
Parliament this week approved new rules empowering the European Commission (EC) to ban European Union (EU) imports of fish from overfished stocks in order to discourage overfishing of mackerel by Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Parliament has also voted for a range of sanctions against Iceland and the Faroes -- include banning the import of mackerel and other fish from both countries -- over the same row.
Separately, MEPs said the upcoming reform of EU fisheries policy should aim to come up with regulations that encourage sustainable fishing practices.
"Hopefully, today's vote will help ensure that Iceland and the Faroes recognise the seriousness of the situation and at long last they will return to the table to engage in meaningful negotiations," said Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association (SPFA).
The new regulation, approved with 659 votes in favour, 11 against and 7 abstentions, opens the way to trade sanctions against third countries that allow unsustainable fishing from stocks managed by both the EU and third countries.
Pelagic fishing vessel.
(Photo: Blog, faxire9.123.is)
If these sanctions prove ineffective, the EC may adopt additional measures, such as restricting the use of EU ports by vessels flying the flag of a non-compliant country or by vessels carrying fish from the overfished stock.
In this context, a country allowing "unsustainable fishing" is one that fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in compliance with international agreements, and fishes at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yields (MSY).
MEPs also opened the door to stronger and properly-funded producer organisations to offset the power of retailers, by adopting new rules for the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products. These rules will also require producers to label fresh fish products with the date of landing and other information for consumers.
The regulation also seeks to slash bycatch by prioritising more selective gear.
"I believe that we have arrived at a good conclusion, as this is the first of three legislative reports which will comprehensively reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)," Rapporteur Struan Stevenson (ECR, UK) commented.
In a resolution on CFP reform, MEPs call for the sustainable exploitation of marine resources based on multiannual management plans and underpinned by a clear timetable in the forthcoming basic regulation on the new policy.
A further resolution urges the Commission to impose sanctions on member states that fail to provide sufficient reliable data for the European fisheries data scheme.
Related articles:
- Brusels warns Iceland, Faroes over 'mackerel war'
- Agreement negotiated to impose sanctions against Faroes, Iceland
By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member European Commission - Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=13&id=55333&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target=
O
THE BRUTALITY OF A NATION
~ 267 WHALES KILLED IN A DAY
http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2013/the-brutality-of-a-nation-267-whales-killed-in-a-day/
Posted by Leya Musa posted on August 9th, 2013 at 12: 25 pm and last updated on August 9th, 2013 at 12: 30 pm
TAKE ACTION! #SPEAKFORPILOTWHALES ! >
http://www.eia-international.org/action-alert-tell-farose-government-to-end-slaughter-of-whales
Faroe Islands Whaling
267 pilot whales were killed in 1 day at the Faroe Islands (photo credit: nordlysid.fo)
It is difficult to visualise a beach and coastline covered in blood but that is what must have happened on 30th July in Fuglafjørður at the Faroe Islands. On that one single day 267 pilot whales was brutally rounded up and dragged to shore to be killed.
The 30th July was the worse day so far for this years slaughter of whiles at the Faroe Islands with 125 whales being killed in the previous week and a report of another mass slaughter taking place yesterday (8th August).
The slaughter of the whales on the 30th July though appeared to have a particularly savageness associated with it. A large pod of pilot whales was driven into the bay at Fuglafjørður and participants began driving the whales onto the beach for killing when there was only 4 men available to kill them.
For over 90 minutes whales were trapped and held in the bay. Boats kept the whales in the bay by using curved spears which were used to hook into the blowhole of the whales. When it was that whales turn to die it was painfully dragged through the water with the spear to the awaiting slaughter-man.
The brutality of the day, which must surely be a disgrace to many who live on the islands, has led 13 international conservation organisations to write an open letter to the Faroese Prime Minister, Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen and Minister of Fisheries Jacob Vestergaard.
In the letter they condemn the mass slaughter on that day and call for the annual killing of pilot whales to be stopped. They also call for new regulations which come into force in May 2015 to be bought forward. The new regulations will require those taking part in the killing to be trained and certified.
One of the signatories to the letter is the Environmental Investigation Agency and they have launched an action page detailing sample letters that people can writ and who to send them to on the Faroe Islands.
The economy of the islands is also heavily dependant on fishing and fish farms. If you are concerned about the mass killing of whales that take place each year then it may be worth reading the labelling of your shopping to see where the fish come from.
External sites:
EIA: Action alert: Tell Farose Govt to end slaughter of whales.
http://www.eia-international.org/action-alert-tell-farose-government-to-end-slaughter-of-whales
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