The European Commission is expected to make a 40% cut in its fleets when it finally releases the new Common Fisheries Policy.
It is thought that over 25,000 fishermen might loose their jobs if the move goes ahead although the EU is expected to offer incentive payments of up to EUR 30,000 per crew member and a possible EUR 50,000 for retraining.
Proposals are also expected to include an overhaul of the EU's subsidy and catch quota system, new rules on the shape and size of nets to prevent landings of small fish, and tighter enforcement of fishing regulations.
In a letter to fisheries organisations EU fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler said: "We all know the main causes of our current problems: short-sighted policy decisions, inadequate monitoring of fishing activities, wide differences in penalties, public aid which has encouraged fleet over-capacity instead of eliminating it and insufficient involvement of stakeholders in decision-making."
The EU has declined to confirm reports that political pressure had forced the delay.
Meanwhile, the director general of the EU Commission's Fisheries Department, Steffen Smidt was sacked last month which brought about speculation that some of the EU's fishing nations were behind the sacking, although the Commission has denied this and says the sacking was due to departmental reshuffling.
The new CFP plans are particularly sensitive for France, ahead of a second round of presidential elections and also for Spain, currently holding the EU presidency
The new CFP is now expected in May. For more on the above see page 3 and the June issue of World Fishing
