Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001786/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ton Diepeveen (PfE)
The European Parliament decided in 2019 to ban electric pulse fishing. A number of scientific studies published since then show that that fishing technique is more sustainable than traditional methods such as beam trawling. For instance, electric pulse fishing reduces impact on seabed life, considerably lowers fishing vessels’ fuel consumption and results in less bycatch.
Studies by Wageningen Marine Research in 2020 and the ICES Working Group on Electrical Trawling (WGELECTRA) in 2024.
ICES Scientific Reports. 2024. Working Group on Electrical Trawling (WGELECTRA; outputs from 2023 meeting). Volume 6 | Issue 67 (p. Vii-viii) show that electric pulse fishing causes considerably less environmental harm than traditional fishing methods.
Wageningen University & Research. 2020. The Implications of a Transition from Tickler Chain to Pulse Trawling (p. 10-11).
In this connection:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the content of the scientific studies cited in the introduction? If not, why not?
- 2.Does the Commission agree with the main conclusions of both reports, including the fact that electric pulse fishing reduces impact on seabed life, lowers fuel consumption and results in less by-catch? If not, why not?
- 3.Why has the Commission not yet lifted the ban on electric pulse fishing?
Submitted: 23.9.2024