EU to help fishermen cope with low stocks

AN action plan to cushion the effects of declining fish stocks and encourage more fishermen out of the industry was unveiled yesterday by the EU Commissioner Franz Fischler.

This follows a high-level scientific report saying fishing for cod, haddock and plaice must be halved or they will disappear.

Mr Fischler warns that 8,000 jobs in the fishing industry will be lost each year and fish stocks will become dangerously low if the industry and the Common Fisheries Policy is not restructured.

Under his plan, drawn up in consultation with the EU member states, he proposes:

611 million for social measures and reducing fleet capacity;

Specific measures in favour of small-scale fishing;

Improvements in living and working conditions on board;

Social protection in the fisheries sector and measures to help young fishermen.

He said that substantial EU funds can be used to help affected fishermen, vessel owners and other operators to cope with economic and social problems.

Currently only 3% of the total amount of financial aid has been earmarked for social measures compared to 22% for fleet renewal and modernisation.

Money is available to help fishermen but the member states must make use of it, he warned.

"We have a moral obligation to do all in our power to avoid the disappearance of the fisheries resources on which fishermen and their families depend," he said.

Mr Fischler also suggests reserving certain coastal fishing grounds such as the 12-mile zone for small scale boats that make up about 70% of all EU fishing vessels and almost 50 % of employment in the catching sector.

MEP Seán ÓNeachtain, who is on the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament, said the proposals did not go far enough in some areas.

He wants the 12-mile zone extended to 24-miles and reserved for smaller fishing vessels and he believes the Irish zone should be largely reserved for the Irish fleet.

"They are not the cause of the damage caused to the fish stocks but their livelihood is under threat which is very unfair," he said.