Since 2007, the development policy of the EU has funded more than fifty projects in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, totaling 230 million euros in the period from 2007 to 2014. There are national and global projects with a 50% in Africa and the rest in Asia and the Pacific. (For more information and detailed plans in this link).
The EU fisheries policy also contributes its bit to protect and conserve marine resources for future generations in both borders, based on scientific advice and on an ecosystem approach, and abroad, bringing these principles to organizations regional fisheries management.
And what is more, the EU has established partnerships with developing countries to ensure fish stocks for future generations and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The partnerships for sustainable fishing cover 7% of total EU catches, with a budget of 135 million euros a year. 22% of the EU investment goes directly to technical support measures, such as the modernization and improvement of the fishing industry in developing countries and to combat the scourge of IUU fishing, which destroys media livelihoods of honest fishermen.
In fisheries, as in its development policy, the EU is leading the way towards greater sustainability and increased international cooperation. Thus paving the way for exploitation of inclusive, fair, transparent and based on the law, to ensure the health of individuals and seas around the world fishery resources.
European Year of Development
The European Union is giving aid to the world’s largest development. However, although the majority of citizens believe that this support is vital, nearly 50% admit not knowing where the aid goes to the EU. What exactly the EU uses the money? What kind of projects supported?
To answer these questions and better showcase their work in the context of development, the European Union has declared 2015 as the European Year of Development. It is no coincidence: the year 2015 is marked to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of the UN, established in 2000. Just last month, the international community adopted a monitoring framework, the Sustainable Development Goals in year UN General Assembly held in New York.
Fishing, subsistence source
The EU contribution to these global targets is significant. It firmly committed to eradicating poverty worldwide and to do so in a way that promotes sustainable solutions for future generations. This strategy has proved effective in combating poverty and violations of human rights, but is also applicable to fishing, as highlighted in October at the thematic month for food security of the European Year of Development.
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture ensure food security and nutrition in some of the poorest regions of the world. In West Africa, countries of the Asian coastline and many small island states, the proportion of fish protein from the whole diet can reach 60% or more. Fish also contains micronutrients and fatty acids which are essential for vulnerable sectors of the population, such as children or pregnant women.
Moreover, fishing and the marketing of their products contribute to poverty alleviation. Worldwide, between 660 and 880 million people (12% of the world population) depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. Fish is one of the most traded food products, with nearly 40% of fishery products and aquaculture access to international trade and annual export value of over 115 billion euros. The trade in fish and fishery products represent an important source of income for many countries, especially developing countries.
However, further action is needed to ensure that fisheries worldwide is fair, profitable and sustainable. And, given that the EU is not only the world’s biggest aid donor but also the largest market for seafood, it has a clear responsibility to support developing countries to that address existing challenges.
Source: European Union
