Harmful fisheries subsidies can have a devastating impact on the marine environment, yet they remain a key issue in negotiations in the next European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2021-2027. This issue is likely to generate much debate in the next and final negotiations between the Parliament and Council of the European Union, who support these harmful subsidies, and the European Commission, who is determined to exclude them.

The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament decided not to review its position after the European elections, promising that the trilogue would allow MEPs to improve the text. Now the time has come for them to prove their word and commitment to EU citizens.

Several Member States – Spain, Greece, Portugal, Poland, France, Italy – are actively advocating for the reintroduction of harmful fisheries subsidies. However, some countries are equally strongly opposed to any such reintroduction. Seas At Risk calls on these Member States to hold firm on their position and prevent the European Union from reintroducing harmful subsidies.

Harmful fisheries subsidies are a key point for discussion and seem likely to be included, as only the European Commission appears determined to exclude these subsidies that may have a devastating impact on the marine environment. Seas at Risks applauds the strong stance adopted by the European Commission, as done by Sinkevičius, Commissioner of Environment, Oceans and Fisheries via Twitter.