Concerns about foreign fish being sold in Europe and what to do about the future of Europe’s fisheries industry were aired in a hearing held by the Fisheries Committee on 8 April. Over fishing, plunging stocks and falling prices have created a perfect storm battering the fisheries industry.

Many of their representatives were in Brussels and one of the key issues they raised is what they perceive as unfair competition from fish caught outside the EU being sold on Europe’s markets; they argue that stringent rules and regulations imposed on them make the fish they catch much more expensive.

At present 60% of all fish consumed in the EU is imported from third countries.

North Sea Cod in dire straits

According to figures from the Commission, 30% of the fish stocks are outside what they term "safe biological limits". In layman’s terms this means that they are not able to produce enough to replenish the fish caught. Particularly hard hit is North Sea Cod of which over 9 out of 10 fish are caught before they can breed.

Prices down 18% in 5 years

Robert Stevenson of the NE Scotland fishermen’s organisation argued that it is unacceptable that "the most heavily regulated fishing fleet in the world" has to adhere to minimum prices set by the EU while "often inferior products" are allowed into the EU at very low prices.

Jacques Pichon, director of the "Pêcheurs Manche Atlantique", said the average price of fish has gone down 18% since 2005. He said that a German trawler fisherman cost 160 dollars per day whilst a Senegalese cost only cost 22 dollars. "I think we need to say no more" he said.

Fish producers also said they wanted clearer labelling and transparency and to keep "withdrawal prices" – a minimum price guarantee to keep market prices up.

The processing and canning industry that buys and processes much of the imported fish from third countries was also invited to the hearing. They said they do not want more import regulations and were disappointed that they were not considered by more than a few paragraphs in the green paper.

More detail here.

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