Posted on January, 23 2013

Overfishing is damaging the marine environment and threatens the viability of communities that depend on fishing. Europe’s fish populations are in a worse shape than most – with 47 percent of Atlantic and around 90 percent of Mediterranean stocks considered overfished. Europe has lost around 30 percent of its fishing jobs in the last decade, yet the fleet’s fishing power has increased. As stocks have declined, Europe has become increasingly dependent on imports, aquaculture and foreign fishing grounds.

But it is not too late: The on-going reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the first big opportunity for the European Parliament to co-legislate on fisheries. In December, the Fisheries Committee took a momentous step towards turning the tide on overfishing in Europe, by agreeing to a strong and well-designed set of reform proposals that could overhaul the EU’s failed fisheries policy.

NGOs recommend that you support overall the Fisheries Committee proposal for reform so as to deliver long-lasting benefits for Europe’s citizens, fishermen and the marine environment.