On Monday 15 November the organisation Low Impact Fishers of Europe and the NGOs ClientEarth, BirdLife and WWF called on EU countries to “stop funding destructive industrial fishing with EU taxpayers’ money”.
In a document, these organisations warned Member States against maintaining an “old and failing system that allows EU countries to subsidise environmentally damaging measures that mainly benefit the most destructive fisheries”. Instead, they advocate support for a transition to low-impact fishing.
Eighty percent of EU fisheries funds are said to have been allocated to owners of industrial fishing vessels over 12 metres in length using powerful gear that is potentially destructive for ecosystems and fish resources.
These organisations make recommendations to EU countries regarding better use of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, such as devoting 25% of the budget to the restoration and conservation of the marine environment.
Link to these recommendations: https://bit.ly/30t8yso (Lionel Changeur)