The role of the European Union (EU) in overfishing around the world

The EU currently has fishing agreements with some 15 developing countries in Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific.

The EU pays anywhere between 0.4 million and 80 million Euro a year for access – and in too many cases there is no limit on the amount of fish that can be caught. In 2000, these agreements cost the EU 137 million Euro.

Some, if not all, of the agreements contribute to overfishing, represent unfair competition to local fishermen, do not offer a fair price to developing countries, and are in conflict with EU development policies.

WWF is still pushing for better fishing deals as part of the reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

More information from 2002 and WWF's campaign to change the EU's Common Fishing Policy:

• EU Access Agreements
• WWF's Endangered Seas Programme