SGS Product & Process Certification - Marine Stewardship Council

and use only of rod-and-line, with little threat to national quotas, the UoC operates on the
periphery of this system.
All registered fishing vessels are required to keep logbooks in accordance with EC Regulation
No. 2807/83 (and subsequent amendments). Fishing vessels under 10 m overall length are
obliged to record all quantities of all species kept on board on daily log sheets. At least half an
hour before entering a port, and immediately before landing the fish, a rod-and-line fishing
vessel has to notify the local authorities (AID). After entering a port, fishing vessels have to
deliver a log sheet with all landed quantities and species to the AID (in a special post box).
5.4 Compliance
Non-compliance is dealt with by the relevant Dutch authorities through their criminal justice
systems, and using agreed and tested procedures. Dutch fishery officials (LNV) report no
compliance issues specific to the UoC vessels. Communication within the group is good and
they act as one to ensure overall compliance.
The client considers that there is insufficient control effort directed at vessels under 10 m. They
have mentioned that there are several unregistered vessels using rod and line that land sea
bass and cod with the intention of sale, which is prohibited under the official regulations.
5.5 Dispute resolution
Disputes that arise are initially dealt with by individual fishermen and inside the VBHL. In the
latter case, the Klapwijkfirm located in Burgh Haamstede plays an important role. The level of
social control is relatively high since the majority of the members depend on a group marketing
system. The fish landed by most members are collected at the Klapwijk firm facility, labelled
there and transported to the IJmuiden auction.
Just two of the members of the VBHL are a member of a national fishermen‘s organisation.
The Dutch national organisations are also linked to a Producers Organisation (PO). The
membership of a PO could be advantageous in resolving disputes.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and national representatives
(Embassies) will be involved when serious international disputes arise that cannot be solved at
a lower level.
All EU member states have signed up to CFP, and are bound by European legislation.
Disputes between Member States and the Commission are resolved in the Council of
Ministers. Where appropriate, European legislation is enacted at the national level through
relevant primary and secondary legislation. Formal procedures apply for the resolution of
disputes through the national court systems.
6. Other fisheries in the area affecting the target stock
In the North Sea, the main commercial catch of sea bass taken in directed fisheries is by drifted
and fixed gillnets and by rod and line operating along the English and Dutch coasts (Dutch
landings were around 30 t in 2009). The main fishing season normally lasts from April until
November.
French and Belgian trawlers also take substantial quantities of sea bass in the southern North
Sea, chiefly as a by catch in demersal fisheries (see Table 1).
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