Trawlers: fishermen authorized to fish in protected areas

Last preparations before the big departure… After a week at quay in the port of Guilvinec (Finistère)a trawl will leave for the West for 15 days at sea. Fishermen will bring back monkfish and rays. Fishing for these groundfish was threatened by the European Commission. Monday, April 3, in the morning, the crews of the 60 boats at a standstill met to vote on the resumption of activity. Brussels renounces banning by 2030 bottom trawling in the marine areas protected.

“A Big Victory”

Philippe Perrot, vice-president of the Finistère fisheries committee, welcomes: “It’s a big win. […] Europe has recognized all the work we have been doing for 40 years.“This step back was necessary for this sector, mobilized for several days for its survival. Marine protected areas represent a quarter of French waters. This measure would therefore have endangered a third of the Breton fleet. For environmental associations, this decline marks the victory of the fishing industry over the protection of the oceans.