How do fishing subsidies affect fish stocks and marine ecosystems of the EU?
Answer… Subsidies are largely used to increase the capacity to catch fish. Subsidies are helping to sustain a EU fishing fleet that is at least 40% too big for the fish available in EU waters. According to the World Bank, the vast majority of subsidies to the fishing sector have a negative effect on fish stocks and marine ecosystems, while only 5% of subsidies have a positive environmental aim. WWF is calling for the reform and reduction of harmful fishing subsidies. Spending patterns must change to support the transition to a long-term, sustainable fishing sector that can profit without subsidies from taxpayers.
