Cabinet opposes Brussels ban on bottom-disturbing fishing

ANP

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 09:43

The Netherlands opposes plans from Brussels to restrict so-called bottom-disturbing fishing in Natura 2000 areas. The government is “very critical” of the EU proposal, writes Minister Adema van Visserij to the House of Representatives. According to the minister, the plan, which affects shrimp fishing in the Netherlands, lacks substantiation and nuance.

In February, the European Commission presented an action plan that phased out seabed-disturbing fishing in protected areas until 2030. Brussels also wants the fishing sector to become energy efficient and less dependent on fossil fuels.

At the moment, 30 percent of the North Sea is a protected nature reserve; in 5 percent, fishing is not allowed on the bottom. With the measures against so-called bottom-disturbing fishing, the committee wants to achieve, among other things, that more fish species return to the sea.

Coastal Communities

According to Adema, the EU plan ignores differences between different parts of the sea and various fishing techniques. “It is important for the cabinet that a thorough, insightful substantiation is provided for such measures, which is lacking.”

The cabinet also believes that Brussels does not take sufficient account of the socio-economic impact. Especially on the coastal communities and the shrimp and shellfish sector. “They may disappear as a result of the proposed measures.”

Spurred on by a majority of the House of Representatives, Minister Adema will look for supporters in Europe against the plan. Critical voices have already come from France, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

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