Definition of pesca-tourism in EU texts

Priority question for written answer  P-000727/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Niclas Herbst (PPE)

In its recent report on the revision of the fisheries control system, Parliament introduced a new definition: ‘pesca-tourism’. This is defined as recreational fishing activities organised by fishers, including activities performed with a skippered boat or vessel taking passengers to sea to carry out recreational fishing activities, as a sideline supplementing their core activity. ‘Fishers’ is not a term defined in EU legislation.

In its 2017 resolution on fisheries-related tourism, Parliament highlighted ‘the importance of distinguishing between the various forms of fisheries-related tourism, which include fishing tourism (pesca-tourism and itti-tourism), maritime and coastal water-based activities, recreational fishing including angling tourism’.

When it comes to strengthening monitoring and control, clear definitions and legal certainty are crucial.

• 1.How does the Commission define ‘pesca-tourism’ and distinguish between such fishing vessels and recreational fishing charter boats?
• 2.Does it find the definition proposed in Parliament report adequate to ensure effective control of activities undertaken onboard EU fishing vessels and the correct registration of catches (as recreational or commercial)?
• 3.How should the common fisheries policy and control rules that normally apply to EU fishing vessels be exercised when recreational fishing activities are undertaken on board of these pesca-tourism vessels?