Fishery: Voting on fisheries subsidies in the European Parliament on October 23

Author: BalticSea2020
Year published: 2013

On July 10 the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries (PECH) voted on the proposal for a new regulation on fisheries subsidies, known as the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The proposal has been prepared by rapporteur Alan Cadec (FR) and includes subsidies for both the modernization and construction of boats, subsidies for temporary cessation, storage of fish that cannot be sold, and more.

In contrast to the rapporteur BalticSea2020 believes that all direct subsidies to the fishing fleet should be phased out and the tax-payers money instead be spent on management of stocks but PECH voted in support of a majority of the proposed subsidies. The plenary vote in the European Parliament is planned for October 23 which is the last opportunity to improve the proposal before Parliament starts negotiations with Ministers. For more information about the impact of direct subsidies to the fishing fleet can read this brief guide: Beginners’ Guide to the Reform of EU Fish Subsidies.

Our focus areas

fisheryThe stock of predatory fish is crucial for the state of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, the Foundation worked to ensure that the environmental effects of fishing should be a central part of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The Foundation also worked on projects to increase the proportion of predatory fish, such as cod, pike and perch. Read more

eutroEutrophication is caused by emissions of nutrients that come from e.g. agriculture, water treatment plants, sewage and transportation. To find measures that could reduce emissions the Foundation worked on projects in agriculture, industrial animal farms and the coastal zone, to research on measures to catch or bind nutrients. Read more

seagull-informationTo create awareness about the threats and opportunities the Baltic Sea is facing, the Foundation initiated a 10-year media and film project with journalist Folke Rydén and photographer Mattias Klum. The Foundation has also supported Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre (Baltic Eye), and Baltic Sea Science Center at Skansen. Read more