EU Fisheries Policy

Fishing and aquaculture are important economic activities in the European Union. While the fishing sector's contribution to the gross national product of Member States is generally less than 1%, its impact is highly significant as a source of employment in areas where there are often few alternatives. In addition, it helps to supply fish products to the EU market, one of the biggest in the world.

With a production of almost 7 million tonnes of fish, in 2005, from fisheries and aquaculture, the EU is the world's second largest fishing power after China.

The European Commission has set out a new radical approach to fisheries management in Europe. The proposals are designed to secure both fish stocks and fishermen's livelihood for the future while putting an end to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks.