EU wants ban on fishing in areas with vulnerable ecosystems

The European Parliament is recommending a ban on all fishing activities in areas with vulnerable marine ecosystems identified by the European Commission.
Yesterday the European Parliament voted on a draft EU regulation on fishing deep-sea stocks in the north-east Atlantic.
A small majority of MEPS voted against a ban on bottom trawling. However the MEPs introduced a review clause requiring the EU Commission to evaluate the impact of the special fishing gear used for deep-sea fishing after four years.
The draft regulation will now go to the EU Council of Ministers for approval.
Fianna Fáil MEP – Pat the Cope Gallagher – who is on the Fisheries Committee – explains what will happen if fragile marine ecosystems are identified.
“They have to be reported, they cannot fish within five nautical miles of that area – and also the member states are obliged to inform the European Commission of any of these areas and they will be prohibited from fishing there in the future” he added.