Global News - July 2007

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EU demands better conservation of fish

Thu 26 July 2007 12:00 UK — Europe

The European Commission has said that EU fishermen who continue to illegally catch fish should face more serious fines.

Figures show that the number of unauthorised fishing and over-fishing incidents reported in Europe increased from 9,660 in 2004 to 10,443 in 2005.

In contrast, the fines for illegally catching fish have declined from an average of €4,664 (£3,120) in 2003 to €1,548 (£1,035) in 2005.

Spain, Italy and Portugal were the nations responsible for most of this illegal fishing, accounting for 74 per cent of infringements reported in 2005.

"Breaching fisheries measures is not an innocuous snub at authority. It really represents a series of repeated blows to the sustainability of the fish stocks and the fisheries concerned," warned EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg.

"Unless we all work together at eliminating the illegal activities of a minority, illegal fishing will continue to flourish while the industry as a whole declines."

The European Commission said that major changes in legislation were needed to protect fish stocks and stop some species from possibly becoming extinct.

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