As the date for the European Parliament fisheries committee to vote on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) draws closer, the arguments surrounding its consequences intensify.
IntraFishreported last Friday of the fear among certain environmental NGOs that the July 10 vote may open the door for a new round of funding by governments of some member states, initiating fleet construction and modernization of vessels.
This was contrary to news emerging late last year that a 'conditionality' clause laying down the requirement to reduce fleet overcapacity is being written into the revamped Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which is currently being negotiated -- as the EU Commission had identified fleet overcapacity as a main driver of overfishing.
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