Environmentalists attack EU aid for beleaguered fishing industry

EURO-MPs have called for a massive rise in fuel subsidies for the beleaguered fishing industry – prompting attacks from environmental campaigners and marine conservationists.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2011, 07:00 BST

A cross-party resolution approved in Strasbourg said emergency measures were urgently needed to help the hard-pressed fishing sector to cope with high oil prices.

MEPs said the current ceiling on the level of state aid which could be granted without needing European Commission vetting on fair competition grounds should be doubled to 60,000 euro – just over £52,000.

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The resolution said high oil prices had a severe impact on fishermen’s operating costs, forcing some to stop work, and a big rise in state aid levels should be allowed by Brussels as a special temporary measure for three years.

The resolution was passed in a 369 to 203 vote. MEPs also called for a long-term EU plan to improve fuel efficiency in the fisheries industry and reduce fishermen’s dependence on fossil fuels.

They said efforts to improve fuel efficiency should become an integral part of the forthcoming reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. But the call for hefty fuel subsidy increases was condemned as showing a “blatant disregard for the EU’s commitments on climate change and biodiversity loss”.

Monica Verbeek, executive director of Seas At Risk, said the move would encourage further overfishing of depleted stocks.

Marine campaigning group Oceana said it would “incentivise fuel-intensive and destructive fishing practices.”