During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on how reduce ocean waste: the circular economy should be boosted through collecting, recycling and upcycling, and fishing gear should be designed in a more sustainable way. Extracts from the debate (24/03), from the vote (25/03), statement by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR).

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

plastic waste (T)

reduction of the environmental impact of plastics (T)

protection of ocean (T)

CHABAUD, Catherine (Renew, FR)

SINKEVIČIUS, Virginijus (LT, EC)

European Green Deal (T)

Impact on fisheries marine litter: statement by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), Rapporteur, extracts from the debate and the vote

Title: Impact on fisheries marine litter: statements by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), Rapporteur, extracts from the debate and the vote (I-203597)

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), Rapporteur , Already we had to explain the phenomenon of fishery waste, which is 80 million tons per year on the entire surface of the planet. You should know that 80 percent of this waste comes from the contents. 

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), In the report we have described that this fishery waste goes from microplastics to containers, from the polystyrene boxes that are on the boats, but also plastic bottles, of course. Twenty-seven percent of the plastics found as litter on beaches, for example, this is the only figure we know.  27% come from fishing itself and aquaculture. So, there is still a small subject, even if the substance of the subject is the impact both environmental, but also social and economic for the fishermen.

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), We absolutely do not know the extent of marine litter. We only know that one percent is on the surface as waste andeverything else ends up in the waters, in the seabed as It has been observed. Knowing better also means better understanding plastic microparticles and nanoplastics. What impact do they have on the environment? On the fishery resource too. Is it ingested by the fish? Does that have an impact on the resource that is the product of fishing or aquaculture? Waste is found in moussels for example. So we have to understand that better. This is the first point. We must also better integrate the link between land and sea in the public policies of the European Union. 

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), The third main subject we point out, is to develop the circular economy in fishing and aquaculture. Today, unfortunately, we have fishermen, dometimes they lose their nets. And we realize, this I learned while working on this report by the European Environment Agency, that at the end of the day fishing gear is made from different polymers. There are about fifty of them.  So imagining that we have to put that back into a circular economy, recycling all that, it becomes complicated when there are so many different different molecules. Therefore, it is imperative to improve the circular economy in the fishing sector. Work on biobased materials and obviously, you have to work with the fishermen.

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), The economic impact for the fishing sector is estimated at 1 to 5% on the sector's economy. This is still not negligible. There is also a directive which obliges them to bring this waste back to the ports. Unfortunately, all this needs to be improved.

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), So we really need to work together to conserve or restore the good health of our marine and coastal ecosystems.

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), It is necessary to support the fishermen, including financially and also from an administrative point of view, so as to facilitate their cooperation in this matter, because fishermen must not become the garbage collectors of the seas. In fact, they frequent the sea. They go to sea much more than the plaisance boat owners, much more than other sailors. And in addition, they go to the coastal area which is very affected by the impact of waste. It is a problem for them. It's a real impact. As we have said it is an economic and social impact, therefore I ask the Commission to work on how we can better use the structural funds.

Illustration, introduction shot Ms Chabaud, she shows to her assistant a sample of sand she took 3 years ago from a beach, we see that in this sample are several plastic elements, (3 shots) 

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), Rapporteur , (debate in plenary on 24/03) First we need to reinforce awareness, especially on the effect of nano and micro plastic particles, on the ecosystems, on our fishing resources and on human health. Second, we need to further integrate the sea land link in European policies, particularly on the waste and water management. Three, we need to strengthen the circular economy in the fishing sector and we need to simplify the recycling of plastics and we need to have better access to bio sources. And we need to strengthen the directive on 'Single use plastics and polystyrene', And also we need to make it attractive for fishermen to bring their waste to the ports.

SOUNDBITE (French), Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), rapporteur, (deabte 24/3) (Holding a plate indicating ' Here starts the sea' ) We could do as we've already seen it in different cities, we could put this plaque near drains and gutters saying don't waste and don't throw your waste in here because the sea starts here, actually also right here at the European Parliament or the European Commission, your Commissioner.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVI&#268;IUS, In the Circular Economy Action Plan, the biodiversity strategy in the upcoming Zero Action Plan, we are addressing many, if not most, of your recommendations. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, we established the first threshold value for beach litter last September. This means that a beach will need to have less than 20 items for every 100 metres next.

SOUNDBITE (English), Virginijus SINKEVI&#268;IUS, Other parts of Horizon Europe will be looking at improving fisheries, monitoring and control capabilities by developing, for instance, new technological solutions, including the improvement of fishing gear.