February 27th, 2014

EP Plenary debate on Legal status of the Svalbard Archipelag

Here are the main points of this week’s European Parliament’s Plenary meeting concerning fisheries:

EP Plenary debate on the Legal status of the Svalbard Archipelago and its fisheries resources

MEP Jaroslaw Walesa (Poland, EPP), read his questions to the European Commission.

Janez Potocnik, Commissioner for Environment, answer the question on behalf of Mrs. Damanaki. He recalled that the position of the EU is that EU Member States should enjoy equal access rights as other parties of the Treaty of Spitsbergen.

He said that there was no established position of the EU with regards to questions 2, 3 and 4. The implications of the newly-drawn Murmansk line for fisheries are still being considered by different Commissions departments.

The Commission is unaware of the procedures of the Joint Fisheries Commission between Norway and Russia. As it is a bilateral agreement and not a regional fisheries organisation, the Commission is not considering to ask to participate to it.

The Commission is unaware of any appropriation of redfish and halibut quotas in the area.

MEP Carmen Fraga (Spain, EPP) took the floor to declare that EU fishing rights in this zone must not be forgotten. Also, she mentioned the EU-Norway negotiations, in which EU negotiators would have asked Norway for more haddock bycatch quotas and less interference on our cod quotas against stopping to ask for our historical rights for other quotas. “The Commission used to share the views that the interpretation of the Treaty of Paris by Norway is not in line with International Law”, she said. “Why is the Commission now conceding this?” 

-          MEP Gallagher (ALDE, IE) said fishing rights in this area are very important and thus it is essential to clarify the legal status and now seems a good time to discuss this issue as Norway intends to further ties with EU on fisheries matters.

-          MEP Lovin (Greens, SE) gave some figures on the alarming rate at which ice is melting in the Arctic and the implications this has. She said her concern is not the interest of fishing nations but the preservation of these sensitive ecosystems. She said Norway has a particular role in this regard and recalled that this week the 5 Arctic nations (Canada, Norway, Russian, US and Denmark) are discussing Arctic issues, noting that a proposal is on the table to establish a high seas fishing moratorium in the Arctic which Norway doesn’t support. She suggests that Norway supports this. 

-      MEP Patrao Neves (EPP, PT) not that this is issue is very complicated but voiced concern as fishing rights and quotas are being handed over against the interest of EU operators, and which also distorts trade as a result of unfair competition. She said this worries a number of Member States and that the Commission needs to be firm and consistent with its actions and cannot have double standards (at home and abroad) and should defend the interests of the EU 

Janez Potocnik answered that the Commission was aware of the Murmansk Treaty of 2010. The adverse effects for EU vessels in the region are currently being investigated. He also added that caring for the Arctic sustainability is an important issue which shouldn’t be underestimated.