35. Notes that the proposal contained in the basic regulation to introduce ‘transferable fishing concessions’ (TFCs), as the sole means of solving the problem of overcapacity, could generate anti-competitive, speculative and concentration practices, and believes that it should therefore be voluntary in nature and subject to the decision of the Member States, as is currently the case; points out that the direct experience of some Member States which have already introduced TFC systems without effective restrictions and safeguards shows a direct correlation between their introduction and an increase in the concentration of fishing rights ...[+++]in the hands of a few traders, and a consequent rise in the prices of fishery products; notes that, although in some countries the implementation of such a system has been followed by reductions in fleet capacity, this has been mainly at the expense of small-scale and artisanal coastal fishing, which are not the most environmentally destructive fleet segments, but the most economically endangered part of the industry and the biggest provider of jobs and economic activity in coastal regions; recalls that a reduction in fishing capacity does not necessarily mean a reduction in fishing activity, but merely the concentration of fishery resource exploitation in the hands of more economically competitive operators; emphasises that, if TFC schemes were introduced, adequate safeguards would need to be put in place in order to protect small-scale and coastal fishing;

34. Notes that the proposal contained in the basic regulation to introduce ‘transferable fishing concessions’ (TFCs), as the sole means of solving the problem of overcapacity, could generate anti-competitive, speculative and concentration practices, and believes that it should therefore be voluntary in nature and subject to the decision of the Member States, as is currently the case; points out that the direct experience of some Member States which have already introduced TFC systems without effective restrictions and safeguards shows a direct correlation between their introduction and an increase in the concentration of fishing rights ...[+++]in the hands of a few traders, and a consequent rise in the prices of fishery products; notes that, although in some countries the implementation of such a system has been followed by reductions in fleet capacity, this has been mainly at the expense of small-scale and artisanal coastal fishing, which are not the most environmentally destructive fleet segments, but the most economically endangered part of the industry and the biggest provider of jobs and economic activity in coastal regions; recalls that a reduction in fishing capacity does not necessarily mean a reduction in fishing activity, but merely the concentration of fishery resource exploitation in the hands of more economically competitive operators; emphasises that, if TFC schemes were introduced, adequate safeguards would need to be put in place in order to protect small-scale and coastal fishing;

The other key words are regionalisation, responsibility, stability and justice: regionalisation, examining the special characteristics of each zone and type of fishing, differentiating between small-scale and industrial fishing; responsibility, focusing on good practices and previous efforts to reduce fishing capacity; stability, through long-term management plans based on increasingly reliable scientific activity; and justice, revising the COM and offering inspections and controls of third countries to promote sustainable behaviou ...[+++]r in the sector.

– (EL) Mr President, the draft regulation on the conservation of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, which we are debating as a matter of urgency this evening, makes provision for reduced quota levels up to 2011, fishing restrictions in certain areas and over certain periods, a new minimum size, restrictive measures for sport and recreational fishery, a reduction in fishing capacity and in the capacity of fattening units, reinforced control measures and the application of the ICCAT international joint inspection programme, in order to safeguard the effectiveness of the ...[+++]plan.

1. The Fund shall provide assistance for the part-financing of the permanent cessation of fishing activities of vessels provided it forms part of a fishing effort adjustment plan referred to in Article 23 (a) or following a decision to voluntarily cease fishing activity leading to a reduction in fishing capacity.

The plans for the protection of aquatic resources must include, in addition to the temporary cessation of activities, effective measures designed to reduce fishing mortality, for example by reducing fishing capacity permanently or adopting technical measures.