The importance of conservation
The EU fishing industry is the third largest in the world. It provides some 6.9 million tonnes of fish each year. Fishing and fish processing provide jobs for more than 400,000 people.
The priority for EU fisheries policy is to strike the right balance between having a competitive fishing industry and having both sustainable fish stocks and a sustainable marine eco-system.
Over the period 2007-2013, the European Fisheries Fund has €3.85 billion to spend on priorities established by each member state based on their own decisions on what they need most. The money can be used for sea and inland fisheries, aquaculture businesses, producer organisations, the processing and marketing sectors, and for economic diversification in fishing communities.
The EU's fisheries policy contributes to preserving fish stocks for the future.
Good enforcement is vital
To ensure compliance with restrictions on fishing in the interests of the long-term survival of fish stocks, the EU in 2005 set up the Community Fisheries Control Agency. Currently based in Brussels, this agency is due to move in July 2008 to a permanent home at Vigo in Spain, Europe’s leading fishing port. The agency coordinates enforcement of rules to prevent over-fishing and protect other forms of marine life. It also trains inspectors and organises joint deployment of inspectors from more than one member state.
International cooperation and assistance
Fisheries agreements with countries outside the EU and negotiations within regional and international fisheries organisations ensure that not only the waters of the EU, but those of the whole world, are not over-fished. At the same time, they give EU fishermen access to fish in distant waters. With developing countries, the EU pays for access rights. The money raised in this way is largely invested in the fisheries industries of these countries and in building up their fish stocks.
The oil industry is an important source of jobs in the maritime economy.
Developing aquaculture
Aquaculture can offset declining wild fish stocks. Already, 19% of the tonnage caught by the EU fishing industry comes from fish farms. Molluscs, mussels, rainbow trout and salmon are generally the most important aquaculture products, but carp and sea bream are important in some countries.
The EU industry has been growing less rapidly than the rest of the world's. The European Commission is considering additional steps to develop this industry's potential. The key challenges include a lack of space and of water of good quality, and high standards of protection for public health and the environment. European aquaculture is at the forefront of sustainable development in the world, both in terms of social and environmental impacts, but this makes it more difficult to compete with producers in other countries, especially in Asia and in South America.
The maritime dimension
The EU has more sea than land; this is the world’s largest maritime territory. There are 1,200 ports. Some 90% of foreign trade and 40% of internal trade is carried by sea. The EU’s merchant fleet is the world’s largest.
Coastal regions account for more than 40% of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) and are home to 50% of the EU’s population. The maritime economy accounts for five million jobs. Some 5% of GDP comes directly from marine-based industries and services. The figure is much higher when indirect contributions from other sectors, such as tourism, are taken into account.
While fisheries and environment policy have been seen as two sides of a single coin for some years, the EU is now taking a much broader view to encompass all uses of our maritime space. The goal is to build on Europe's strengths in marine research, technology and innovation. This fits with the Lisbon agenda for more and better jobs and growth, and with the EU's overarching commitment to ensuring that economic development does not come at the price of environmental sustainability. The integrated maritime policy encompasses maritime transport, the competitiveness of maritime businesses, employment, scientific research, fisheries and the protection of the marine environment.
To emphasise the importance of this sector, the European Commission has designated May 20th each year as European Maritime Day.
