Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-01-20-Speech-4-034"
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"en.20000120.3.4-034"2
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"Mr President, the Commission’s analysis of the first year of application of the fourth generation of multiannual guidance programmes shows that very different situations exist in the Member States. While some countries are not meeting the objectives laid down or are not providing reliable data, others are not only meeting these objectives but are exceeding them, as in the case of Portugal.
Therefore, at the beginning of 1998, the Community fleet exceeded the MAGP IV final objectives in terms of both tonnage, by 16%, and power, by 7%. On the other hand, France and the Netherlands were unable to meet the MAGP objectives and Italy failed to provide reliable data. Yet Portugal not only exceeded the European average but, with a reduction of 38% in terms of tonnage and 21% in terms of power, was the country which reduced the fishing effort of its fleet to the greatest extent. This has, of course, involved decommissioning, job losses and a threat to the survival of nearly 180 important communities.
There is therefore a clear imbalance in the fisheries situation within the European Union, even taking into account the necessary caution which must be used in analysing the data presented in the report, as underlined by the rapporteur.
For Portugal, the current situation is particularly serious and basically results from a common fisheries policy which takes no account of the specific conditions in each Member State. Having said this, the national politicians must also accept some responsibility as they want to be the best at complying with the European rules.
It is now clear that a fisheries policy based on scant support for fleet modernisation and renewal, on measures encouraging the decommissioning of vessels and the cessation of activity, and on deteriorating working conditions and lower incomes for fishermen, combined with strong foreign competition, has led to a drastic reduction in the national fleet. This is causing Portuguese fishermen to emigrate to join fleets of other countries, particularly those which are not meeting their MAGP objectives and which are even increasing their fishing capacity.
A major overhaul of the common fisheries policy is needed, and not just of the specific issue of the MAGPs. Particular attention must be paid to the specific aspects of each country. Special support must be provided for the renewal and modernisation of the fleets of Member States which have already met their objectives. Measures to support the survival of fishing communities must be established. An improvement in the living and working conditions of fishermen must be ensured and compensation must be provided for closed seasons, as in the case of the sardine closed season in Portugal, or for any other necessary reductions in the fishing period."@en1
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