The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee has approved a measure to make it easier to blacklist countries that are managing their fisheries "improperly." And South Korea may be added to that list.
The current list consists of eight countries: Belize, Cambodia,Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, the Togolese Republic and the Republic of Vanuatu. But Räul Romeva, spokesperson for fisheries for the Green group, recommended that the European Commission (EC) now add South Korea to the list, European Voice reportd.
"With repeated allegations of illegal fishing and related human rights abuses, notably in West African waters, the EC must add South Korea to the blacklist," he declared. "If the countries on the list do not make swift improvements, the Commission must propose sanctions, including – but not limited to – trade sanctions."
The blacklisting proposal by the Fisheries Commitee would establish a new and quick procedure for listing countries singled out by the EC that are not co-operating with international rules on illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. The EC would thus be enabled to add new countries to the existing list, including the names of the vessels involved, and to publish it.
The committee also voted on a long-term plan for cod stocks,pushing for the European Union (EU) to adopt sensible quotas recommended by scientific bodies for allowing these stocks to rebuild. Separately, MEPs and green groups were livid at a decision by fisheries ministers meeting in Luxembourg to accelerate negotiations on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy(CFP). The time frame of talks was cut with a view to getting compromises agreed by the next Fisheries Council on May 13-14.
Green groups said this new time limit is a problem because no indication was given that the Council plans to compromise with Parliament on the two most sensitive issues -- the date for a discard ban and the date by which to restore fisheries to sustainable levels -- and this, in turn, indicates that member states intend to pressure the Parliament into giving in by citing time demands.
"The conclusions of this Agri-Fish council on EU fisheries reform are a contradiction in terms," said Tony Long, director of the European policy office for the World Wildlife Fund. "On the one hand member states agreed to step up the pace of the negotiations to reach a good deal by the next Council in May, but on the other
hand they remain firmly rooted in their position despite the trilogues. They have not moved closer to the position of the European Parliament regarding the cornerstone issues."
