EU Fishing in distant waters
The EU is the largest fish market in the world, with about a quarter of world imports. 65% of the seafood available in the EU is imported from abroad. Faced with declining catches at home and growing demand, EU vessels have been encouraged to venture out into the world’s oceans in search of more catch.
They have been particularly successful in exploring new fishing grounds since the 1980s thanks to the negotiation of access agreements with developing countries, international agreements about fishing on the high seas and subsidies.
The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is a unique opportunity for the EU to ensure all European vessels, wherever they operate in the world, fish sustainably and to champion sustainable fisheries management on the international stage. The EU needs to demonstrate leadership so as to avert a global fisheries crisis and secure food security.
CONTACTS
-
Sarunas Zableckis
Policy Officer, European Marine & Fisheries Policy
WWF European Policy Office
+32 2 740 09 36