The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament believes that fishermen should not be forced to install cameras on board. The EU wants to use cameras to monitor the processing of fish on fishing vessels.
Dutch MEP Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) considers the rejection of the camera requirement absolutely justified: “Imagine if there was always a camera watching you at home or at work. Nobody would want that,” Van Dalen said. He believes that such improved monitoring should be on a voluntary basis.
Another significant success was already achieved last week in an earlier vote: fishing trawlers will be allowed to continue weighing their catch on board before landing it. According to Van Dalen, the sector has made large investments in the past in purchasing and installing expensive weighing equipment on board.
All of that would have been wasted if the European Commission’s proposal had been adopted. On Friday, the Fisheries Committee, which will be chaired by Van Dalen, will hold the final vote on the amended text. The Dutch MEP expects the amended texts to be approved then.
It is likely that the full Parliament will vote on the new control regulation in March. After that, trilateral negotiations can begin with the Council of Ministers and the European Commission regarding the final text of this European law.