1 April 2011 – A cross-party campaign group of European MPs has been formed to call for a radical reform of EU fisheries policies including an end to wasteful fishing practices such as discarding dead fish overboard. This practice was highlighted in Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Channel 4 series, ‘Hugh’s Fish Fight’ which is being repeated on More 4 from Monday night (1).

Keith Taylor, a Vice President of the ‘Fish for the Future’ group, says the new group will press for policy changes to ensure that there are more fish in the sea and more secure jobs for fishermen. The new body already has the support of MEPs from 14 countries and members belonging to all the major political groups in the European Parliament.

With up to 80% of fisheries being managed unsustainably the European Commission intends to propose major policy reforms within the next three months. EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has already announced that she wants a science-led approach and aims to ban the wasteful practice of discarding fish into the sea, dead, when quotas have been exceeded.

But Keith warns that the reforms are likely to face tough political opposition and are at risk of being hijacked by MEPs and governments who continue to put short term thinking before the need for long term sustainability.

Keith said: “As Hugh’s TV programme showed, in many European waters there are too many boats chasing too few fish.  Capacity must be reduced and while some may fiercely resist such moves any failure to act risks destroying fish stocks, our marine biology and will deprive future generations of vital natural resources.”

“The seas off the South East’s coast are capable of supporting many more fish than now exist after so much overfishing. We cannot allow the agenda to be set by short term thinking that ignores the need to ensure that European citizens have fish on the table in 50 or 100 years’ time.”

Keith added that the extent of opposition to reform would become known only when the European Commission publishes the details of its plans.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Hugh’s Fish Fight (episode 1) will be repeated on More4 at 10pm on Monday 4 April.

2. Image – Keith with Commissioner Damanaki who is responsible for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs