European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The European Parliament's fisheries committee today adopted a report on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This is the most important vote in the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy reform, following the adoption in May of the basic Regulation. Commenting after the vote, Greens/EFA MEP and shadow rapporteur for this topic, Raül Romeva i Rueda, stated: 

"Today's vote puts a question mark over the success of the basic Regulation. The fisheries committee missed the opportunity to end the disastrous policy of using public money to subsidise the overfishing and over-exploitation of our seas. It is a shame that this opportunity was wasted. 

"The EMFF has only limited financial resources, and it is now more than ever essential to ensure that public money is spent efficiently. Taxpayers’ money should help only those activities that increase the environmental sustainability of fisheries and prioritise the recovery of depleted fish stocks so as to ensure that coastal fishing communities have a future. Today's vote pushes Europe in the opposite direction. 

"Among the most serious outcomes was the re-introduction - for the first time since 2004 - of subsidies for building new fishing vessels. This was done at a moment when fleet capacity must be reduced! The committee approved funds for engine replacement, a dangerous measure that could lead to increases in fishing capacity. Other new subsidies include grants of €100,000 for direct transfer of ownership of a business and €100,000 for young fishermen to buy a boat. The fund would also financially compensate fishermen for not fishing during fishes' biological rest periods, which is in fact in their own interest, since they help improve the condition of fish stocks.  

"The Greens also tried to eliminate aid for storage of fish on land, but this subsidy will now continue until 2020. 

"The only positive result from this vote is the committee's rejection of the draftperson's/rapporteur's request to immediately start trialogue negotiations with the Council. Instead, the Parliament will hold a vote in plenary, scheduled for October, where we expect to be able to correct some of the worst outcomes."