On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2009/21/EC on compliance with flag State requirements
PECH-PA-752995
Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Ana Miranda
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The Committee on Fisheries gives its draft opinion on the Commission proposal to amend Directive 2009/21/EC on compliance with flag State requirements. It supports updating the rules to align with IMO standards and to embrace digital solutions, and proposes three amendments to the recitals.¶¶¶ The amendments add that jobs and coastal communities depend on protection of the environment, that those whose livelihoods depend on the marine environment should be considered, and that administrations below Member State level with fisheries competences should be given full regard.¶¶¶ The rapporteur highlights continued concerns about reflagging and flags of convenience, and regrets that the Fisheries Committee was not given full oversight within a reasonable timescale.¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries supports the Commission's aim to update the flag State Directive and align it with international standards, and welcomes moves to embrace digital technologies. It proposes three amendments to the recitals and regrets the truncated procedure.¶¶¶
Key points
- The rapporteur supports the Commission's aim to update the flag State Directive to conform more fully with IMO standards, harmonise inspections and monitoring, promote digital solutions, improve cooperation between Member State authorities and improve flag State training.¶¶
- The rapporteur highlights recent Parliament resolutions expressing continued concerns about reflagging and flags of convenience, which remain a major issue for the environment and for fisheries livelihoods.¶
- The rapporteur notes that ships using flags of convenience pass through sensitive marine areas such as the Fisterra corridor, and that needs vary between the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast.¶¶
- The rapporteur says the proposal should form part of efforts to protect the marine environment, the economy, food security and communities dependent on fisheries, aquaculture and shellfish.
- The rapporteur regrets the truncated procedure faced by the Fisheries Committee, which should have been given full oversight within a reasonable timescale.¶
- The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on Transport and Tourism, as the committee responsible, to take its amendments into account.¶
- Amendment 1 adds to Recital 1 that at all times it should be borne in mind that countless jobs and coastal communities depend upon protection of the environment.¶
- Amendment 2 adds to Recital 2 that the marine environment and those whose livelihoods depend on it should be considered when ensuring a ship is fit for its service.¶
- Amendment 3 adds to Recital 7 that full regard should be had for administrations below Member State level with competences in the fisheries sector, in line with each Member State's legal order.¶
Who is affected
- Fishing communities and those whose livelihoods depend on the marine environment, including inshore and artisanal fishing and the shellfish sector.¶¶¶
- Maritime administrations below Member State level with competences in the fisheries sector.¶
- Member State maritime administrations, which should be able to rely on adequate resources for their flag State obligations.