P9Yyli

Call for incentives
and support for fishermen
In a panel discussion on the future of
sustainable fishing, participants noted the
recent achievements of the EU with regard
to legislative changes, but also the great
challenges involved in implementation and
achieving a common EU policy, in spite of
the fact that some countries are much more
affected than others. The participants criticised
the strong lobbying which recently led to
the rejection of a phase-out of destructive
deep-sea bottom trawling by a thin majority
in the Parliament, and it was felt that the issue
should be put on the agenda again. Moreover,
many participants, in particular those of
southern European origin, called for more
incentives and support for fishermen in their
countries, in order to, for example, earn a living
with fishing tourism. They felt that the quotas
and excessive EU regulation negatively affect
their communities. Panellists and participants
alike suggested greater flexibility with regard
to quotas so that less fish is thrown back into
the sea, and for incentives for a diversification
of the European diet towards other fish species.
Another glimpse of the circus show in the flower bar
Three EYE volunteers in one of the many helpdesks
around the Parliament
Standing up for the environment
Energy security, the transition to renewable
energies, improvements in energy efficiency,
and tackling climate change were at the
heart of another panel discussion titled
‘We’ve got the power...’. One of the key issues
discussed by participants and panellists
involved the challenge of achieving energy
security while respecting the relevant
economic, environmental, and social aspects
of sustainability. With the current diplomatic
crisis between the EU and Russia, the question
of reducing European dependency on Russian
gas and oil was raised. One of the solutions
suggested was to look to Canada and its vast oil
and gas resources; but are the tar sands being
exploited there, and are the tremendous social
and environmental impacts of the difficult
extraction process acceptable to the EU, which
aims to be a global leader in sustainability Kait
Bolongaro, living in Paris, France didn’t think so:
“If the European Union doesn’t stand up for the
environment, who will The recent softening of
opinion regarding the proposed Fuel Quality
Directive, which will allow tar sands into the
EU, should be repealed.”
A greater consensus was achieved on the
importance of fostering renewables and
an increase in energy efficiency; even the
panellists asked for more youth participation
on such issues.
Ideas for a better Europe – EYE2014 Report
41