EU wants ban on fishing in areas with vulnerable ecosystems

The European Parliament is recommending a ban on all fishing activities in areas with vulnerable marine ecosystems identified by the European Commission.

Yesterday the European Parliament voted on a draft EU regulation on fishing deep-sea stocks in the north-east Atlantic.

A small majority of MEPS voted against a ban on bottom trawling. However the MEPs introduced a review clause requiring the EU Commission to evaluate the impact of the special fishing gear used for deep-sea fishing after four years.

The draft regulation will now go to the EU Council of Ministers for approval.

Fianna Fáil MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher - who is on the Fisheries Committee - explains what will happen if fragile marine ecosystems are identified.

"They have to be reported, they cannot fish within five nautical miles of that area - and also the member states are obliged to inform the European Commission of any of these areas and they will be prohibited from fishing there in the future," he said.