International Fund for Animal Welfare Applauds European Parliament's Proposed Driftnet Regulations 2/18/2004
From: Gaia Angelini, 32(0) 22-37-60-52 or 04-73-98-51-65 or gangelini@ifaw.org, or Kerry Branon, 508-744-2068 or kbranon@ifaw.org; http://www.ifaw.org; both of the International Fund for Animal Welfare BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 18 -- In adopting a report by German MEP Heinz Kindermann, the European Parliament has expressed overwhelming support for a proposed regulation to end the accidental catch (or bycatch) of harbour porpoises and dolphins, which die in the thousands in EU fishing nets, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said today. The European Commission is proposing the phasing out of driftnets in the Baltic Sea by 2007 with an immediate restriction in length to 2.5 km., the compulsory use of pingers (acoustic deterrent devices attached to nets) in certain fisheries, observers on board a proportion of vessels to monitor bycatch, and the mandatory reporting of bycatch elsewhere. Each year about 10,000 harbour porpoises are killed in EU fisheries in the North Sea and Celtic Sea. Especially vulnerable is the harbour porpoise population in the Baltic Sea, which numbers no more than 600 animals. Without urgent action to protect it, this population could be extinct in as little as 20 years. In recent years, scientists on board IFAW's research vessel Song of the Whale conducted both acoustic and visual surveys in parts of the Baltic Sea using a specially developed acoustic porpoise detection system and confirmed that harbour porpoises in the Baltic are now heading for extinction. Due to their indiscriminate nature, gillnets both bottom set nets and drifting gillnets (commonly called driftnets), cause this horrendous death toll. The loss of these animals is not only a conservation problem but also a serious animal welfare issue -- caught in the net and therefore unable to surface to breathe, the harbour porpoise suffocates to death. IFAW (http://www.ifaw.org) has been concerned at the lack of action by the EU Member States to protect dolphins and porpoises, known as small cetaceans, in spite of an obligation under the Habitats Directive, which requires the Member States to establish a system to monitor the incidental capture and killing of these protected species and to respond wherever there is a negative effect. However, there are currently no effective mechanisms in place to monitor the bycatch of cetaceans in EU waters and no integrated action to prevent accidental killing. "We and 1.8 million supporters welcome this proposal and the European Parliament's vote as a first step towards protecting harbour porpoises and dolphins from unnecessary death in EU fishing nets", said Lesley O'Donnell, director of the IFAW European Union Office. "It is a particular anomaly that the EU has banned driftnets in all other waters but not yet in the Baltic Sea, where scientists believe the accidental killing of just two porpoises might affect the future of the population. We hope that this regulation will be adopted in the Council and will help the recovery of porpoises in the Baltic and elsewhere." ------ About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world. With offices in 15 countries, IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people. To learn how to help IFAW protect animals, please visit http://www.ifaw.org. Note to editors: See media kit on the IFAW Website at: http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=80804 See IFAW's response to the Report on a Council Regulation on measures concerning incidental catches of small cetaceans in fisheries at: http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=80804 |