10/05/2023 (Agence Europe) – The NGO Bloom announced on Wednesday 10 May that it had lodged two appeals with the European Commission and the French Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries over objections filed by the EU and France regarding restrictions on the use of ‘fish aggregating devices’ (FADs) by fishermen. The EU objected to a resolution from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) on FADs and then made new proposals for the IOTC meeting held on 8–12 May (see EUROPE 13159/5). However, according to Bloom, these objections are “unacceptable” as they “totally contradict the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy”. According to Bloom, FADs pose a “serious threat to marine ecosystems” worldwide. (LC)