Press Release: Commission pushes to strengthen fishing fleet reduction programme

The European Commission is proposing further reductions of fishing capacity in the EU fleet to bring it more in line with available fish resources. A mid-term review of the fourth 'Multi-Annual Guidance Programme' (MAGP IV), one of the tools for achieving a sustainable EU fishing industry, shows that this programme is only marginally affecting excess fishing capacity so far. The Commission suggests modifying the way reduction rates are calculated, achieving cuts through capacity reductions and extending the MAGP exercise for a further year. EU Fisheries Commissioner Franz FISCHLER said 'it is crucial to strengthen MAGP IV immediately so that it can tackle fleet overcapacity more effectively'. It should be noted that Member States that have over-achieved their reduction objectives for 2001 in the segments concerned will have no further reductions to make.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/info86_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/info86_en.htm

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