End overfishing. Fisheries ministers often say that ending overfishing would have "socioeconomic consequences" and that the EU therefore should go on with business as usual. But this is a flawed argument. A vast body of evidence shows that sustainable catch levels are not a hindrance to a profitable fishing industry, but are in fact a precondition for it.
The Greens today denounced a decision by EU fisheries ministers attempting to delay an end to overfishing. In the ongoing fisheries reform, the Commission had proposed to set sustainable catch levels in line with the "Maximum Sustainable Yield" (MSY) by 2015, but early Wednesday morning the Council adopted a 'general approach' in which they propose to delay this date to 2020 and remove protection for the most vulnerable stocks.
Fisheries ministers often say that ending overfishing would have "socioeconomic consequences" and that the EU therefore should go on with business as usual.
But this is a flawed argument. A vast body of evidence shows that sustainable catch levels are not a hindrance to a profitable fishing industry, but are in fact a precondition for it.
We Greens want to do things differently. Ministers must start following scientific advice and they must reduce the over capacity of the fishing fleets starting with removing those vessels that fish in the most damaging way.
The good news is that we have the chance to make these changes now because the EU is reforming its common fisheries policy.
Read the entire Green press release here