EU aid for tsunami-hit fisheries

The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, yesterday announced a series of initiatives to be taken by the European Union aimed at re-building the fishing sector in the countries hit by the tsunami disaster.

Dr Borg told The Times the Commission adopted a decision to provide immediate and more long-term technical expertise and assistance to the countries hit by the natural catastrophe.

The package will include the sending of experts to the affected areas to assess the reconstruction requirements in fisheries and aquaculture. They will also assist in the implementation of the agreed rehabilitation measures in the sector.

The Commission is also proposing to amend some rules in the Fisheries Fund, the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), so as to remove legal obstacles to co-financing and a possible transfer of fishing vessels from the EU to the affected areas.

After tourism, fisheries and aquaculture were the most affected economic sectors in the countries in question.

Dr Borg noted that the Council and the European Parliament have already expressed support for the measures envisaged by the Commission to help rebuild the fisheries sector in the areas concerned. "In co-ordination with the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the member states, we must ensure that our measures respond to the needs of the local sector in a way that will contribute to sustainable fisheries."

One of the most concrete measures to be taken will involve the possible transfer of EU vessels to the affected tsunami areas. In its decision the Commission is proposing that, in order to be eligible, vessels will have to be under 12 metres long and between five and 20 years old. The transfer of vessels to the affected areas would end on June 30, 2006.

The grants to be allocated to EU vessel owners would be those currently available under FIFG for the permanent removal of such vessels from the EU fleet. An additional premium of up to 20 per cent is proposed to meet the cost of transport to the affected areas by public or private interests and to ensure that the vessel is equipped and seaworthy.