New EU regulations are intended to protect Flemish fishermen

16 January 2018

New European fishing regulations are on their way. Not only are they intended to create more transparency and clarity, they also give Flanders more of a say in how fishing is organised here. “That’s a great move,” MEP Sander Loones says. “The new regulations make fishing that is tailored to the specific circumstances in our North Sea possible.” He is, however, still expecting a strong exchange of words on electric pulse fishing, an innovative technique for catching flatfish.

First and foremost, the N-VA seeks to protect Flemish fishermen. They are currently still victims of unfair competition from Dutch fishermen. Indeed, a large number of Dutch vessels are equipped with technology that uses electric pulses to shock and catch fish. Thanks to a loophole in the law, they have been fishing the Flemish North Sea dry for several years now.

Let fishermen earn a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work

The European Parliament has already decided that a complete ban on electric pulse fishing has to be put in place. But that is only a first step in the legislative process. Now it’s up to the European Parliament, the EU Member States and the European Commission to reach a definitive common agreement. The N-VA is already talking about the subject in no uncertain terms: “We will protect our Flemish fishermen to the greatest possible extent. They have the right to earn a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work.”

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