The European Parliament passed new fisheries control measures Thursday. In accordance with the authorized text, comprehensive traceability will be ensured by monitoring and documenting the activities of every fishing vessel. The rule requires that all vessels have a tracking device on board that allows national authorities to locate and identify them at regular intervals. Some small vessels may be excluded from this requirement until 2030, while small fishing fleets will have four years to comply with the new rules. The new EU legislation intends to help to more accurate data collecting, including improved management of maritime resources. The new legislation was at the focus of a four-year debate in which Italy was a major protagonist, thanks to a robust lobbying effort by League MEPs. This is due to the fact that it would prohibit trawling, which provides a significant portion of Italy's seafood goods.
|