Brussels, 20/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The fisheries ministers of six EU member states - Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Belgium and Portugal - have drafted a joint statement on the funding of the common fisheries policy (CFP) in which they call for the retention of fleet adaptation aid (such as aid for scrapping of boats) and modernisation of vessels (more fuel efficient engines, for instance).
The statement signed by the six countries was sent to European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki who does not support the retention of Priority 1 of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). This relates to the modernisation of vessels and adaptation of the fleet (funding of temporary cessation and decommissioning of vessels). The Commission wants to reduce fleet capacity through the introduction of individual transferable quotas (quotas which can be sold among fishermen).
France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Belgium and Portugal call for: - a strong financial instrument to help the fisheries sector, the retention of at least the same level of funding for the EFF as for the period from 2007 to 2013 (some €4 billion) with sharing among member states dependent on the size of the sector (currently funding is shared out according to a number of criteria including the size of the sector and the convergence regions) - an instrument that helps the adaptation of the fishing fleet: the six say that reduction of the capacity of the fleet and fishing effort should be taken into account “at least for a transitional period”; - an instrument that contributes to the modernisation of vessels, for example, reducing fuel consumption, improving safety on board and supporting young fishermen; - support for the development of fish farming ands the development of scientist-fishermen partnerships.
In a recent speech delivered in London, Damanaki said that there must be an end to wasting taxpayers' money, efforts to reduce the European fleet not having produced any result hitherto. A report published by the ONG Pew Environment established a clear link between fisheries subsidies, in particular, aid for modernisation and overfishing. According to the Commission, currently 60% of Atlantic and North Sea stocks are being overfished, and this rises to over 80% in the Mediterranean. (L.C./transl.rt)