Situation of artisanal fisheries in the EU and future prospects

I voted against this report on the situation of small-scale fisheries in the EU. We support the need to assist small-scale fisheries because of their lower environmental impact and their contribution to local economies and communities. However, this report contains several negative and contradictory elements, which resulted in my negative vote.The text stresses the need for a “common, broader and more appropriate definition of small-scale fisheries”. As well as seeking to increase the 12-meter limit, which is completely unfounded, such a change would jeopardize the preferential access of small-scale fisheries to a series of existing instruments at EU level (such as FEAMPA).The demand to continue exempting fishing from fuel tax is also unacceptable. We rejected this call, making clear reference to the need to decarbonize the sector. We stressed in our amendment that the elimination of fuel tax exemptions would have a greater impact on larger vessels, for which these exemptions are particularly beneficial, and that any impact on small-scale fishermen should be absorbed by Member States through support measures. Unfortunately, these amendments were all rejected.

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