The European Parliament has called for the EU to help fishermen and women ensure Europe’s fishing industry goes carbon neutral by 2050.
MEPs said in a “modernisation of the EU fleet” and “fishing gear innovations” would be needed to ensure the industry becomes greener.
The European Union has committed to become carbon neutral by 2050. All industries are expected to work towards that goal.
According to the European Parliament, the European fishing industry emits 0.015 percent of global carbon emissions.
That’s half the emissions the industry was producing in 1990. Energy efficiency and the decline of the fishing industry in Europe have been the key factors in reducing emissions.
To get to net zero without killing off the industry entirely will require investment and MEPs have urged the EU to step in and help.
“The fleet has an average age of 31.5 years and small-scale vessels, which represent 76% of the EU fleet, face difficulties when it comes to modernising, not least on account of the high costs involved”, the European Parliament says.
MEPs also call for changes to the common fisheries policy and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to open up new funding opportunities to fishermen and women.