Strasbourg, 19/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has stressed the need to maintain inshore fishing and provide additional aid to protect the social fabric of coastal communities. On 15 June, the EP adopted the own initiative report by Sean O'Neachtain (UEN, Ireland) on inshore fishing and the problems encountered by coastal fishermen and called for the new European Fisheries Fund (EFF) to finance more fuel efficient engines and environmentally friendly fishing gear, along with improvements in on-board working conditions for inshore fishermen, as long as these measures to not lead to an increase in fishing capacity. Such aid is allowed for in the political agreement on this dossier. In addition, the EP called on the Commission to finance vessel modernisation measures and put forward specific educational and training programmes the framework of a new Community initiative on inshore fishing, particularly with a view to encouraging young people into the sector. The EP also proposed that aid be maintained for the fish processing sector in the most remote areas, particularly aid for the oil used to dress tinned tuna. The EP considered that any inshore fisheries legislation should above to improve safety rules. This “safety culture” first and foremost meant safer, more modern vessels, which could take on new safety equipment and gear, and Parliament deemed it essential that aid for modernisation and renewal of the fleet should be maintained through the EFF.