Campaigners described the result as a victory for small-scale fishermen. Organizations representing coastal fishing communities on both sides of the Channel have warned that industrial trawling methods, including fly fishing, are decimating livelihoods and the marine ecosystem. While the European Parliament does not have the power to ban the fishing method, MEPs said Tuesday’s vote sent an important message to decision-makers about the impact of fly fishing on coastal fishing communities. The vote to amend the Common Fisheries Policy, which includes access to territorial waters, will now be considered by the European Commission, Parliament and EU Member States. Last year the UK was accused of allowing vessels using the fishing method “unfettered access” to the English Channel without proper assessment of the impact on fish, the seabed or the livelihoods of coastal communities. Diagram showing how fins in nets work to increase catch “This is a very important day for ocean and coastal fishing communities,” said Laetitia Bisiaux, project manager for the French environmental organization Bloom. “The MEPs were told about the devastating effects of demersal fishing by fishermen who use this technique themselves. MEPs have heeded the long-ignored warnings. “The vote is a good political message from the EU parliament to fishermen and to member states to ban this destructive technique,” he said. Fly-shooter fishing boats, also known as Danish, Scotch or demersal trawlers, tow lead ropes along the seabed at either end of a net that encircles and captures entire schools of fish. One expert told the Guardian the method had between four and 11 times the “killing power” of inshore fishing boats. The amendment to the fisheries policy was tabled by French Green MEP Caroline Roose, who said it was an “important first step” towards a ban. Roose said: “Yesterday’s vote sends a clear message of support to fishermen and NGOs calling for a moratorium on benthic flu in the English Channel. The amendment itself allows the French government to ban its use off French shores. “This is only a first step, as any decision to limit or ban demersal flues in the English Channel will have to be negotiated with the EU Commission and Member States. Public pressure will be key to ensuring that yesterday’s decision is actually implemented.” Campaigners and organizations representing small-scale fishermen in the UK welcomed the news and said it was time for the UK government to act. In June 2021, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it was looking at the potential impact of fly fishing on the UK fishing industry. The UK licensed 15 fly fishing boats between 2011 and 2021. Jeremy Percy, founding director and senior adviser of Low Impact Fishers of Europe, said: “It’s a long way to go, but at least Europe seems to be tackling the issue. We have become very efficient at catching fish, but management and regulations have not been followed. “We are all fishermen and we all need and deserve to make a living, but it should never be at the expense of another fishing sector and especially one as vulnerable as the smaller UK fleet. “It is even more disappointing that we have left the EU but are still allowing full-scale destruction by larger EU vessels to continue unabated.” Fiona Nicholls, ocean campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “Encouraging news from France – French fishermen are being heard. Now is the time for UK politicians to listen to what our fishermen need at home. “Banning destructive industrial fishing such as fly-shooting to properly protect the UK’s marine protected areas must be a priority for the government in 2022. Using the post-Brexit licensing powers set out in the Fisheries Act, they could easily take quick action to protect our oceans and fishing communities.” A Defra spokesman said: “We recognize the concerns raised about fishing pressures in the English Channel, including methods such as purse seining, and are working with industry on these issues. “We have already stopped trawling by EU and English-registered vessels in UK waters and any decisions to manage the fishery in the future will be based on the best available evidence.”
