VISIT OF A DELEGATION

Brussels, 31 May 2010 SUMMARY REPORT on the VISIT OF A DELEGATION of the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES to WESTERN SWEDEN (SKAGERRAK/KATTEGAT) 25-27 May 2010 Report prepared by: Claudio Quaranta Secretariat, Committee on Fisheries

Summary The Members of the EP Fisheries Committee Delegation: Met with representatives of the Swedish Fishermen Association and with representatives of different ecolabel organisations for fishery products and local fisheries initiatives Were given very interesting presentations on the ecosystem in Kattegat and Skagerrak waters, with particular focus on cod stock protection plans based on the analysis of the trophic chain Met with the head of the Swedish Board of Fisheries and researchers at the Sea Fisheries Research Center in Lysekil, as well as with fishermen and other local stakeholders in the fisheries sector Had extensive field trips onboard fishing boats engaged in shrimps, crab and Norway lobster fishing in the Gullmaren Fjord and in the Skagerrak, including a visit onboard a trawler boat Were given an in-depth presentation on the '8-Fjord-Project', an initiative aimed at improving the environmental status of a large fjord network on the Skagerrak coast, followed by a boat tour to key project sites Members of Parliament participating in the delegation: Isabella Lövin (Greens), Head of Delegation Ulrike Rodust (S&D), Britta Reimers (ALDE), Marek Józef Gróbarczyk (ECR), Diane Dodds (NI) Annexes: Programme and list of participants Press reviews For further information, see also the notes prepared by the EP Policy Department on Structural and Cohesion Policies on "Fishery in Sweden" and on the "Long-term impact of different fishing methods on the ecosystem in the Kattegat and Öresund": http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/studies/searchperform.do 2

*** Tuesday, 25 May 2010 *** 1 - Meeting in Göteborg In the morning, the delegation visited the Fishing Harbour in Göteborg and was welcomed by the Chairman of the Swedish Fishermen's Association, Mr. Henrik Svenberg. In the 'Pirhus 1'-Building we were given a presentation on local fisheries initiatives aimed at improving the traceability of local fishery products, followed by an interesting meeting with representatives of two important ecolabel organisations for fishery products: Mr. Lars Hällbom for the Swedish KRAV, Mr. Nicolas Guichoux and Mr. Camiel Derichs, regional managers for the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) label. The ensuing lively debate focused on the question on how the upcoming CFP reform should address the issue of product labelling and, in particular, on whether it would be advisable for the EU to set minimum standards for ecolabels or to create and market a label of its own - the latter proposal being rejected by all three speakers. The problem of the proliferation of ecolabels with low customer recognition levels, as well as the issue of costs needed to undergo a full assessment for the label certification were also discussed. 2 - Meeting in Lysekil The delegation travelled from Göteborg 120 km North along the beautiful fjord-ridden Skagerrak coast, reaching the pictoresque town of Lysekil, home to 7.600 people (doubling during the touristic season) and to the Royal Swedish Sea Fisheries Research Center (Havsfiskelaboratoriet), whose origins date back to 1901. At the Institute we were welcomed by the director, Dr Joakim Hjelm, and by the Head of the Swedish Board of Fisheries, Mr. Axel Wenblad. Delegation with Research Institute behind In his introductory presentation Mr. Wenblad outlined the key strategies followed by the Swedish Fisheries Board in relation to fisheries management plans in the Baltic Sea and in the Skagerrak/Kattegat/Öresund waters, underlining the need for a better long-term management of stocks (as in forestry management) and a rights-based management going 3

beyond a mere ITQ system. He also called for improvements in the traceability of fish and fishery products in order to restore consumer confidence. Two scientific presentations followed: the first by Dr Hjelm on a specific project for the Baltic where it appears possible to promote fish predators (cod) by fishing down their prey (sprats), based on a scientific analysis of the trophic chain and the interaction of species and on the data provided by a number of field experiments in Norway and Canada. Presentation by Dr Hjelm The second presentation, by researcher Dr Matthias Sköld, focused on a spatial protection plan of the Kattegat cod stocks, providing details on the stock spawning and migration patterns that led to the definition of special closures and protected zones, in part managed jointly with the Danish authorities. *** Wednesday 26 May 2010 *** 3 - Field trips with fishing boats The delegation was given the opportunity to spend a full day at sea aboard different fishing boats (hired by the Research Center) active in catching shrimps (Pandalus), crabs and Norway lobster (Nephrops) in the waters around Lysekil. The delegation was split into different groups according to boat sizes and interpreting needs, dressed in proper outfit and headed first into the Gullmaren Fjord and then out into Skagerrak waters (or vice versa). 4

Accompanied by researchers of the Center, Members had the opportunity to witness and discuss directly with fishermen how the fishing activities were organised and controlled along the western Swedish coast and the main problems they faced. Particularly, the issue of selective fishing was demonstrated, i.e. fishing with creels (Norway lobster) and with selective grid (shrimps). Checking nephrop's minimum size... While Kattegat and Skagerrak waters appear to have only very low stocks of commercial fish species left, with cod stocks awaiting recovery, the shrimp and Norway lobster stocks appear abundant and provide suitable income for the local fishing community. At the Institute, Members were also given a presentation on the different fishing gears developed and used by researchers, with a special focus on selectivity. 4 - Meeting with Lysekil authorities The dinner, hosted by the Lysekil Municipality in a small restaurant in the historic part of the town, provided the opportunity of another exchange with local fishermen and other local stakeholders active in a co-management project on fisheries and other marine resources along that part of the coast. During the dinner, Members were given presentations on a project of mussels-growing to combat the eutrophication of the sea and another project of growing sea squirts (Tunicates) as biomass for biogas production. The Olsson brothers, two local fishermen and winners of the 2009 'Änglamark'-award for their active work to secure the marine environment and inspiring fellow fishermen to fish in a sustainable manner, also made a presentation. 5

*** Thursday 27 May 2010 *** 5 - Visit of Havets Hus and Lysekil Aquarium The guided visit on the following morning of the 'Havets Hus' (House of the Sea) with its impressing aquarium, displaying only species living in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, gave a further good insight into the specificities of their ecosystem. 6 - Visit of the 'Eight-Fjord-Project' in Hafstens/Uddevalla For this last leg of the visit, the delegation drove to the North of the Hafstensfjord where we were met by Mr. Niclas Åberg, manager of the 'Eight-Fjord-Project', a local comanagement project jointly run by the municipalities of Stenungsund, Kungälv, Tjörn, Orust and Uddevalla and aiming at improving the now degraded fisheries and the environmental status of the large fjords network, while increasing opportunities for great outdoor recreation and the development of a sustainable maritime industry. With the rediscovery of spawning adult cod in Havstensfjord and the identification by researchers of fish spawning and migration areas, parts of the 8-fjords area have been subject to fishing moratoria. After a detailed presentation of the project by Mr. Åberg, delegation members were taken for a field trip on small motor boats to view key project sites along the northern part of the fjord. 6

ANNEX 1 - Programme Tuesday 25 May 09.30 Meeting in lobby of Hotel Radisson Blu in Göteborg and bus transfer to Göteborg's Fiskehamnen. 10.00 Meeting at the 'Pirhus 1' with representatives of different ecolabel organisations for fishery products and local fisheries initiatives Henrik Svenberg, Head of the Swedish Fishermens Association Lars Hällbom, Standards Director, KRAV (ecolabel) Nicolas Guichoux, Regional Director Europe, MSC (ecolabel) Camiel Derichs, North European Manager, MSC (ecolabel) 14.00 Bus transfer from Göteborg to Lysekil 16.30 Transfer to the Havsfiskelaboratoriet (Sea Fisheries Research Center) in Lysekil Meeting with Mr. Axel Wenblad, Head of the National Board of Fisheries and Dr Joakim Hjelm, Director of the Research Center 17.00 Scientific presentations followed by debates on: Dr Joakim Hjelm: 'Plan Fish' for the Baltic Sea Ecosystem Dr Mattias Skjöld: Spacial protection of the Kattegat cod stock 18.30 Dinner hosted by the Havsfiskelaboratoriet Wednesday 26 May 09.00 Meeting at the Hotel lobby and bus transfer to the Research Center 09.30 Boat trip to local fisheries: Group 1: Nephrops and lobster fishing in the Skagerrak Group 2: Pandalus fishing in the Gullmaren Fjord 7

Lunch break at Havets Hus 13.00 Boat trip to local fisheries: Group 2: Nephrops and lobster fishing in the Skagerrak Group 1: Pandalus fishing in the Gullmaren Fjord 16.00 Showing of different fishing gears at the Research Center 19.30 Meeting at the Hotel lobby and transfer to dinner hosted by the Municipality of Lysekil, Mrs. Ulla Olsson, fisheries policy officer. Thursday 27 May 08.30 Meeting at the Hotel lobby 08.45 Visit of the Havets Hus and the Lysekil Aquarium with its display on the Kattegat ecosystem 10.00 Departure for Hafstens 10.30 Arrival at Hafstens and introduction to the "Eight-Fjord-Project" by Mr. Ove Andersson, Mayor of Stenungsund municipality and project manager Mr. Niclas Åberg 11.30 Visit of the "Eight-Fjord-Project" by boats 13.30 Lunch hosted by Stenungsund Municipality 14.30 Departure to Göteborg Landvetter airport Individual departures 8

ANNEX 2 - List of participants MEMBERS Mrs. Isabella LÖVIN (SV - Greens) (hors quota) - responsible for the delegation Mrs. Ulrike RODUST (DE - S&D) Mr. Marek GROBARCZYK (PL - ECR) Mrs. Diane DODDS (UK - NA) Mrs. Britta REIMERS (DE - ALDE) SECRETARIAT Mr. Philippe MUSQUAR, Head of unit, Official Responsible Mr. Claudio QUARANTA, Administrator POLITICAL GROUPS ADMINISTRATORS Mr Vasilios MYLONAS (S&D) Mr Michael EARLE (Greens) MEP ASSISTANTS Mrs. Ulrika EKFELDT (Assistant Mrs. Lövin) Mr. Staffan DANIELSSON (Assistant Mrs. Lövin) Mr. Alan McCULLA (Assistant Mrs. Dodds) INTERPRETERS EN, DE, SV, PL (passiv) F. HEINES (Team leader) (DE) C. WERLE (DE) A. MARSON (EN) A. PEERLESS (EN) M. ORMELIUS (SV) A. AHLBERG (SV) 9

ANNEX 3 - Press Reviews LYSEKILSPOSTEN - 2010-05-26 EU:s fiskeutskott med Isabella Lövin i Lysekil Studerade räk- och kräftfiske i Gullmarn och Brofjorden EU-parlamentets fiskeutskott, där bland andra Isabella Lövin (MP) ingår, är just nu på studeresa i Bohuslän. På onsdagen besöktes Havsfiskelaboratoriet i Lysekil och det bjöds även på utflykter på Gullmarn och Brofjorden, där politikerna fick se hur svenskt fiske efter räka och havskräfta går till. Isabella Lövin (MP) i EU-parlamentets fiskeutskott är initiativtagare till utskottets rundresa i Bohuslän. Här ska man strax lägga ut från kaj för att studera burfiske efter havskräfta i närheten av Brofjorden. T.v. om Isabella Lövin ses Henrik Wennerberg, som är skeppare på LL 25 Mitina. Programmet för de fem ledamöterna i fiskeutskottet och deras assistenter, politiska rådgivare och tolkar inleddes på tisdagen, då man besökte Feskekörkan i Göteborg. Gruppen fick då information om bland annat lokala fiskeinitiativ och organisationer som fiskar och marknadsför lokalt fiskade produkter. Därefter reste gruppen till Lysekil och fick veta mer om torsken i Kattegatt och ekosystemet i Östersjön av Havsfiskelaboratoriets chef Joakim Hjelm och forskaren Mattias Sköld. En glädjande återhämtning har skett av torsken i Östersjön, trots att omvärldsfaktorer som syrefattigt vatten fortfarande är ett problem i detta innanhav. I Kattegatt är torskbestånden fortfarande svaga och den omfattande trålningen som pågått under lång tid har medverkat till dagens situation. I Öresund, där trålförbud rådit sedan 1932, är torsktillgången oerhört mycket bättre. En forskarrapport, som presenterats av EUparlamentet nyligen, visar att det krävs 100 10

timmars fiske i Kattegatt för att få upp samma mängd som man får på en timme i Öresund. Ut på riktigt fiske På onsdagen fick EU-politikerna stifta riktig bekantskap med svenska kustfiskevatten. Henrik Wennerberg på LL25 Mitina tog med EU-gruppen ut och visade burfiske efter havs-kräfta i närheten av Brofjorden. Burfiske är ett skonsamt fiske på ett kräftbestånd som är livs-kraftigt och hållbart i ett långsiktigt perspektiv. Gruppen från fiskeutskottet fick också komma in i Gullmarn och se hur trålning med rist (artselekterande utrustning) efter Gullmarsräka går till. Detta förevisades av Royne Robertsson på Gullbris. Man testade också parallellt med Havs-fiskelaboratoriets båt att tråla efter räka utan rist. Skillnaden är stor, man ser tydligt hur artselektiv risten är, säger Havsfiskelaboratoriets chef Joakim Hjelm. Även inom trålfiske efter havskräfta används rist med stor framgång. En svenskkonstruerad rist är godkänd för att selektera ut torsk där maximala vikten av bifångsten är 1,5 procent av den totala fångsten, säger Joakim Hjelm. Lövin initiativtagare Det är Isabella Lövin som föreslagit att EU-parlamentets fiskeutskott ska göra studiebesök i Sverige. Isabella Lövin blev känd för en bred allmänhet för några år sedan då hennes bok Tyst hav - jakten på den sista matfisken blev livligt omdebatterad. Nu sitter hon alltså i fiskeutskottet för Miljöpartiet. Det är jättekul att vi kan göra det här studiebesöket i Bohuslän. Här kan politikerna med egna ögon se problematiken. Vi visar både några goda och några dåliga exempel på kustfisket vid Västkusten, säger Isabella Lövin. Bland goda exempel finns användandet av artselekterande redskap, som ger mycket små bifångster av torsk och annan bottenfisk. Bland mindre goda exempel är problematiken med utfiskning och lokala torskbestånd som på några årtionden försvunnit från de flesta av Bohusläns fjordar. Fick information om åtta fjordar Under torsdagen gör fiskeriutskottet besök på Havets Hus i Lysekil och reser sedan söder-ut till Hafstens och får information om Åtta-fjordar-projektet av Ove Andersson från Stenungsunds kommun och av projektledaren Niclas Åberg från Tjörn. Där blir det också en utflykt med båt för att studera fjordarna kring Stenungsund, Tjörn och Orust. 11

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