In a question to the Commission, the New Democracy MEP Fredi Beleri, who is also a member of the Committee on Fisheries of the European Parliament.

Mr. Beleri refers to the conduct – for several years – of fishing activities by Turkish fishing vessels within Greek territorial waters, without the permission of the Greek State and in violation of Greek and European legislation.

As it says, “The massive entry of Turkish fishing vessels takes place with great frequency, while aggressive behavior towards the Greek coastguard has been repeatedly observed. Moreover, the Turkish coastguard systematically fails to prevent these violations.”

The MEP of the European People’s Party and the New Democracy underlines that “Any fishing activity by third country vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a Member State of the Union, without its permission, is illegal”, adding that “overfishing, in sensitive areas, leads to a decline in fish stocks, directly affecting the marine ecosystem and the economic life of local communities”.

In conclusion, Beleri asks the Commission whether it intends to press Türkiye to comply with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and to intensify controls to detect illegal catches within the European market, as well as to strengthen the jurisdiction of FRONTEX to stop illegal fishing within the European borders.

The full text of the question follows:

Violations of Greek and European territorial waters by Turkish fishing vessels and illegal overfishing

For several years now, raging in the Eastern Aegean”the war of the sea bream”, with Turkish fishing vessels conducting fishing activities within Greek territorial waters, without the permission of the Greek State and in violation of Greek and European legislation (Regulation 1005/2008 on the prevention, deterrence and elimination of illegal and unreported fishing and Regulation 1224/2009).

The massive entry of Turkish fishing boats takes place with great frequency, while aggressive behaviour towards the Greek coast guard has been repeatedly observed. Moreover, the Turkish coast guard systematically fails to prevent these violations.

Any fishing activity by third-country vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a Member State of the Union without its permission is illegal. Overfishing, in sensitive areas, leads to the depletion of fish stocks, directly affecting the marine ecosystem and the economic life of local communities.

The violation of European legislation and European marine territorial waters by a candidate state becomes problematic.

So the Commission asks:

1. Does it intend to put pressure on Türkiye to comply with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and the IUU Fishing Regulation?

2. Does it intend to intensify controls to detect illegal catches within the European market and to achieve a level playing field for Greek Fishermen;

3. Does it intend to strengthen the jurisdiction of the European Fisheries Control Agency and FRONTEX to stop illegal fishing within the European borders;