The European parliament plenary has voted on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), and has voted against reintroducing subsidies for new boats.
Funding for fleet renewal ended in 2002, and many believe that reintroducing this funding would mean that too many boats would be chasing too few fish – encouraging overfishing and the further decline of stocks.
Funds will still be available for engine replacement for small boats, but the definition of small scale and coastal fisheries will not be applied to vessels over 12m and will not include trawler vessels. EU subsidies will also no longer be given to operators that have fished illegally.
The EP also voted to double investment in data collection, control and regulation enforcement, which will help to rebuild stocks.
The European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will provide €6.5 billion towards the fishing industry between 2014 and 2020. Negotiations on the final deal are expected to start in November.
