Why will small-scale fisheries be treated more favourably under the EFF?
The number of small-scale fisheries vessels represents around 80% of all European fishing vessels but their total capacity in tonnage does not exceed 15% of the overall capacity of the EU fleet.Not only do small scale fisheries employ about 50% of all European fishermen, but they often associate indirectly their families in the marketing of their catches.Because these catches are generally too modest to be landed and sold anywhere but at the home port, small-scale fisheries play an important role in the local economy of coastal regions, as well as in the social fabric of coastal communities. Small-scale fisheries also represent an important cultural feature of the EU coastal areas which contributes to their attraction as tourist destinations.The economic and social importance of the small-scale fisheries is especially high in remote and rural regions where alternative economic activities are scarce.In view of these factors, the EFF offers them special conditions, in particular by reduc
