Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Added44. Considers that the management of IAS can provide opportunities for additional temporary income through applied innovation to generate value added products such as bio-fertilisers and agricultural substrates that support the control of those species, and, where possible, their eradication; calls on the Commission to finance research and technology transfer in this area;

Added45. Stresses that, where eradication of invasive species is not feasible, the exploitation of invasive species for human consumption can provide additional temporary income for fishers and contribute to wealth that benefits local economies in the EU;

Added46. Welcomes the temporary economic use of some IAS, such as algae, for food and non-food purposes; points out that such purposes, besides food for human consumption, could include animal and fish feed, pharmaceuticals, packaging, cosmetics or biofuels;

Added47. Reiterates that the ultimate goal is always the eradication of IAS; emphasises, in this regard, that economic dependence on exploiting IAS should always be temporary or secondary and that it must not encourage the spread or the placing on the market of those species;

Added48. Calls for increased and dedicated financial support to improve the effective management and protection of coastal livelihoods and marine ecosystems and the conservation of sensitive species, and for information, monitoring and early warning systems for IAS at regional, national and EU levels, in view of the positive impact of such support on fisheries, biodiversity and ecosystems;

Added49. Insists that the future multiannual financial framework include funding to strengthen the competitiveness of the fishing fleet in the face of challenges such as rising costs, loss of fishing grounds and the impact of invasive species; considers it a priority to improve fishers’ access to financial resources to modernise their vessels, digitalise their operations and diversify their sources of income;

Added50. Reminds the Commission that the outermost regions and the island and coastal areas serve as important safe harbours for sensitive marine species, while also being highly vulnerable to IAS; calls for the importance of protecting these sensitive species and combating IAS in these regions to be recognised, namely via the creation of a programme of options for local fishing that are specific to remote and island areas; highlights the potential of sustainable ecotourism as a means of providing diversification opportunities, while preserving the unique biodiversity of those regions and delivering direct benefits to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

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51. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.