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The demersal seine is an extremely destructive fishing technique that threatens the biodiversity of the oceans as well as the activity of French fishermen. Europe had the opportunity to ban this fishery in the English Channel last week, but it did not, sparking controversy.
In the Channel, industrial fishing is not slowing down. Some techniques even provoke controversy, in particular that called “demersal seine”. For years, dozens of Dutch boats have been deploying nets of several square kilometers that emit vibrations and scrape the bottom of the seas. All species are then captured, and French fishermen see their resources depleted.
This controversial fishing technique is prohibited on a large part of the Atlantic coast, but remains authorized in the English Channel and in the North Sea. Thursday, September 29, France had the opportunity to ban this practice in Brussels (Belgium)but the amendment was rejected. According to NGOs, France has abandoned its fishermen. A MEP from the majority explains for his part that the amendment would have been badly formulated, and could not be defended. In the English Channel, 54 ships would practice the seine net demersal. About forty would belong to Dutch shipowners.