3. Modernization Programs 



Belgium has implemented a number of 

 programs to modernize the country's fishing fleet. 

 The Maritime Credit Act (Royal Decree of August 

 23, 1948) allows the Belgian Minister of Transport to 

 provide financial assistance towards the construction 

 of new fishing vessels. This takes the form of a 

 reduced rate of interest on 70 percent of the 

 investment over 15 years. The grant is only available 

 if the engine power of the new fishing vessel is 

 reduced by 10 percent as compared to the old vessel, 

 and provided the new vessel does not exceed 1,200 

 horsepower. Belgian state credit assistance is also 

 available for modernization of existing fishing 

 vessels. State assistance can reduce interest rates on 

 a 7-year loan, for example, by 10 percent of the total 

 investment. When these investments are part of the 

 European Community Multi-annual Guidance 

 Program (MAGP), EC financial assistance may also 

 be made available. Belgium has also received grants 

 from the EC for modernizing its fishing fleet, but has 

 not used these funds to purchase high-seas vessels. 



4. Deconmiissioning Programs 



The Royal Decree of June 29, 1984 

 identifies the process for receiving decommissioning 

 grants. The Decree allows grants in the amount of 

 approximately $10,000 per ton for scrapping, sale to 

 a third country, or entry of the vessel into a new non- 

 fisheries category. The Royal Decree of January 24, 

 1989, increased the size of the grant offered by the 

 earlier decree. The new program offered greater 

 premiums for heavier vessels to be decommissioned. 

 The Royal Decree of October 30, 1991, again raised 

 the premium and provided greater incentives for the 

 decommissioning of ships. In order to regulate and 

 control the Belgian fishing fleet, all fishing vessels 

 are required to be licensed. The first licensing 

 system was enacted in the Royal Decree of December 

 28, 1988, as amended by the Royal Decree of 

 December 18, 1991. A Belgian fisherman must hold 

 a government-issued license for the vessel. The 

 Government restricts new entrants into the already 

 heavily fished coastal grounds. The owner of a 

 licensed vessel who wishes to replace the vessel with 

 a new fishing vessel, must obtain a replacement 

 license. Replacement licenses are issued only if the 

 new vessel does not exceed the power and tonnage of 

 the old vessel. Additionally, the old vessel must be 

 permanently removed from the Belgian fishing fleet. 



The Belgian Government must also comply 

 with provisions of the EC MAGP to reduce the size 

 of the fleet. The MAGP for Belgium contains the 

 following provisions: 



The fleet should be maintained close to its 

 1982 level in terms of tonnage and 

 horsepower, but modernization of the fishing 

 industry is allowed to make sure that the 

 fleet remains economically competitive. 



The fleet should remain comprised of small, 

 owner-operated vessels. 



The fleet should remain at approximately 

 200 vessels with a total horsepower of about 

 96,000-hp. 



Priority should be given to modernizing 

 coastal vessels (small trawlers and 

 shrimpers) and then to multi-purpose 

 vessels, not equipped with a beam trawl. 



5. Shipyards 



Belgian shipyards produce only a few vessels 

 each year which replace aging fishing vessels. Most 

 of the Belgian fishing fleet was built in Belgian 

 shipyards. The Government does not provide 

 subsidies to its shipyards for vessel construction. 



6. International Agreements 



The Belgians negotiated fishing rights for 

 one vessel, the John, to fish in Icelandic waters, in 

 1975 before the EC was authorized to negotiate 

 international fishery agreements on behalf of member 

 sates. The agreement was extended in 1979 and 

 expired in 1986. 



Belgium, as part of the European 

 Community, is able to take advantage of access to 

 distant waters under agreements negotiated by the 

 EC. Belgian fishermen operate under EC catch 

 quotas, by species, in different parts of the EC. 

 They fish for sole off the Isle of Man and in the 

 Bristol Channel, plaice in the North Sea, and other 

 species in the Bay of Biscay.' Belgian fishermen are 

 able to fish and land their catches in Denmark, 

 France, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.'' 



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