Brussels, 23/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 April, member states gave a rather mixed response to the action plan presented in 2012 by the Commission, which is aimed at tackling the accidental catching of marine birds in fishing gear. European Commissioner for Fisheries Maria Damanaki emphasised the need to find funding to encourage fishermen to change fishing gear and use set nets. British and Dutch fisheries ministers were particularly supportive of this action plan. Other countries (Spain, Portugal, Estonia and Poland) have requested impact studies to be undertaken and more scientific data in order to assess the extent of the problem. The Commission has said that scientific evidence indicates that many species of marine bird, particularly albatross, petrels, puffins, penguins, marine ducks and divers get caught in fishing gear every year. (LC/transl.fl)