East Midlands MEPs call for radical changes to EU Fisheries Policy

For decades the EU Common Fisheries Policy has been a by-word for failure. Fish stocks have plummeted, jobs have been lost both at sea and on-shore in fish processing, and prices of fish for consumers have risen rapidly. The EU’s quota system means that millions of tons of perfectly good fish are thrown back into the sea each year as “discards” to rot.

MEPs back fish campaign

East Midlands Conservative MEPs Emma McClarkin and Roger Helmer have joined a campaign in the European parliament calling for radical change. The campaign was partly prompted by the recent Channel 4 Big Fish Fight campaign fronted by TV personality Hugh Fernley Whittingstall. Awareness of the problem has rapidly increased, and retailers are reporting better acceptance of previously less popular fish like mackerel, pollock and sardines.

The two MEPs want to ensure that there are more fish in the sea and more secure jobs for fishermen, and are calling on the Commission to focus on a long-term, regionally sensitive, science-led approach aimed at securing sustainability of fish stocks.

Fisheries management would be transferred from Brussels to regional organisations involving local fishermen, food companies and environmentalists.

Miss McClarkin and Mr Helmer say that Europe’s seas are capable of supporting many more fish than now exist, but overfishing is a major threat.

“EU policy has been a disaster for the industry, for consumers and for the environment. Radical changes are needed urgently to ensure that people still have fish on the table in 30 years’ time,” Mr Helmer said.

Miss McClarkin added, “In many European waters there are too many Spanish boats chasing too few fish. If we fail to take action we risk emptying the seas and betraying future generations.”

A tough political fight is expected, although the extent of the opposition to be overcome will only become known when the European Commission publishes the details of its plans.