Image of fishing industry sinking fast - EU forum told

An MEP says it is “imperative” to improve the “poor” image of the fisheries sector.

Speaking at an event in Brussels on Tuesday, UK centre right MEP Struan Stevenson said, “Fishing is seen as dangerous and poorly paid and it is increasingly difficult to attract new, young people into careers into the industry.”

The industry itself faces further pressure as it will have to be restricted in future to ensure a “healthy ecosystem” is maintained and “rare, vulnerable” species are protected, he said.

He also called for a “more committed and direct” plan to eliminate the “wasteful” discarding in EU fishing.

His comments come in the wake of UK fisheries minister Jonathan Shaw saying last week that cod  fishing quotas must be increased to stop thousands of tons of dead fish being thrown back into the sea.

Strict quotas mean fishermen are forced to discard fish if they are too small, or if bringing them ashore would put their catch over the limit.

Stevenson was a keynote speaker at first day of the two-day ‘Blue Forum’ conference, organised by the Committee of the Regions.

The event is designed to give stakeholders in the maritime sector a chance to debate the commission’s recently-published ‘Blue Paper’ on future maritime policy.

Stevenson,rapporteur for parliament's fisheries committee on the commission’s maritime package, said he welcomed proposals contained in the blue paper.

“Once we are able to manage our seas and oceans effectively and sustainably, our maritime economy will thrive and every EU citizen will benefit," said Stevenson, who is president of the parliamentary intergroup on sustainable development.

Joe Borg, commissioner for fisheries and maritime affairs, told the conference, which concludes on Thursday, that the new policy is aimed at integrating all aspects of maritime affairs.

Other speakers included Michel Delebarre, president of the Committee of the Regions, and Claudio Martini, president of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.

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