EU fisheries policy set for urgent review

Published on Wednesday 17 September 2008 22:16

THE European Commission yesterday launched an immediate and wide-ranging review of the controversial common fisheries policy.

Joe Borg, the fisheries commissioner, warned that the fishing industry was caught in a "vicious circle" that had undermined both the ecological balance of fragile fish stocks and the profitability of the sector.

The common fisheries policy (CFP), which has been used to control European waters for 25 years, was last reformed six years ago. It has been consistently condemned by fishing industry leaders in Scotland, as well as environmental groups, and an independent inquiry into the industry set up by the Royal Society of Edinburgh concluded the CFP was "fundamentally flawed".

Mr Borg told the commission yesterday: "In its current form, the CFP does not encourage responsible behaviour by either fishermen or politicians.

"The management tools we use reward narrow-minded, short-term decision-making, which has now undermined the sustainability of our fisheries.

"To produce a full diagnosis of what needs to change and determine a plan of action will take time, and we need to involve all stakeholders fully in that process."

As a first stage, European fisheries ministers will hold discussions on possible reforms during a meeting on 28 September.