Press Release
Fight against illegal fishing in the European waters

A delegation from EAA (European Anglers Alliance), CIPS/FIPS-M (International Confederation of Sport Fishing) and CMAS (World Confederation of Subaquatic Activities) met with Mr Patrick Tabone, Chief of Cabinet of Commissioner Borg and Mr Fergal NOLAN, administrator DG FISH, on January 12, 2006. The delegation presented a resolution to combat illegal fishing in European Waters to the Commission representatives. The resolution, which was adopted by EAA at its General Assembly in Denmark in April 2005, was approved by CIPS/FIPS-M at its General Assembly in Palermo in May 2005 and by the CMAS at its management committee meeting in September 2005.

Text of the resolution:
The EAA urges the European Community to intervene with each Member State:

1. to implement and enforce strict control measures on illegal fishing in respect of laws already in force. These controls must apply to commercial and leisure fishing.

2. to encourage Member States to appoint water bailiffs to undertake marine patrols in order to increase the frequency and the effectiveness of enforcement

3. to recommend that each Member State implement control measures to regulate the sales of fish at wholesale and retail level and to impose severe penalties for any infringement of the regulations.

Mr Bernard Breton, President of EAA and Mr Marcel Ordan, President of CIPS/FIPS-M and also representing CMAS, expressed their concern and that of their members on the extent of the illegal fishing taking place to the representatives of Commissioner Borg.

A long and constructive meeting led to the following statement that:
It is of primary importance, that in the immediate future, the necessary measures are taken to eradicate this illegal practice. Fishermen, both commercial and sport/recreational, who act honestly and respect current legislation should not undergo additional constraints on their activities (such as additional quotas, limitation of catches, etc…) because of the illegal acts of those who endanger the resource.

Copyright © 2006 CIPS
Dernière modification: 21 March, 2006