Fishermen need financial support due to the ever-increasing fuel prices. And the environmentally friendly pulse trawl fishing method should be allowed again. This call is made by four Dutch Members of the European Parliament: Peter van Dalen (Christian Union), Annie Schreijer-Pierik (CDA), Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP), and Jan Huitema (VVD).
Fuel prices for the fishing industry have been rising for some time and have reached unprecedented heights due to the Russian war in Ukraine. For many fishermen, their fishing activities are gradually no longer profitable.
Van Dalen: “If fishermen are forced to stop, many people will miss out on sustainable and healthy food. Given the fuel prices, the reintroduction of energy-efficient fishing gear such as the pulse trawl is necessary. An additional advantage is that this will make it easier to achieve climate goals.”
Ruissen agrees: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The EU must, among other things, quickly allow the pulse trawl technique again. We must prevent Europe from becoming dependent on imported fish from distant parts of the world.”
Schreijer-Pierik adds: “Food security is one of the EU’s priorities, especially given the serious situation in Ukraine. On the one hand, we must now counter rising fuel prices and provide direct financial support; on the other hand, we must reintroduce pulse fishing.”
Huitema also emphasizes the importance of food security: “The war in Ukraine shows how fragile our food supply can be. We must strike while the iron is hot and allow innovations such as pulse fishing that contribute to our food production.”