Press Release: Commission proposes to extend aid scheme to fishing fleets in EU outermost regions

The European Commission has proposed to extend until 31 December 2006 a scheme allowing derogations from the general EU rules on the management of fishing fleets and the granting of public aid for fleet modernisation and renewal, in the Azores and Madeira, the Canary Islands and the French departments of Guyana and Reunion. Special conditions for these regions are necessary because of the importance of their fisheries sector combined with their specific structural, social and economic situation.