Subsidies fuelling overfishing must end
CCB • January 1, 2012
Subsidies directed towards the fishing sector is one of the key problem areas regarding the overfishing and overcapacity in Europe’s fishing fleet. The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) was designed to balance fishing activities at sustainable levels but it has actually done the reverse. Ship owners have been able to get subsidies to increase the capacity and fishing power of their vessels, adding to fleet overcapacity. It is time to stop the blind spending of taxpayers money!
CCB is a member of the campaign organisation OCEAN2012 dedicated to change the European fishing policy (CFP) to a greener and truly sustainable policy.
On Wednesday, 28 May, the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) published its scientific advice for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea . In response, environmental NGOs from around the Baltic Sea region urge the European Commission to propose, and fisheries ministers to adopt, fishing opportunities at levels well below the headline advice to safeguard ecosystem needs and dynamics and allow for rapid recovery of Baltic Sea fish populations.
Key Baltic fish populations are in crisis, warn environmental NGOs. New scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, confirms the poor condition of key Baltic fish populations, several of which remain collapsed (1). EU fisheries ministers must set 2026-catch limits well below ICES advice and prioritise long-term recovery over short-term economic gains.