Much of France’s fishing industry has breathed a sigh of relief as proposals that would have had severe repercussions for the fishing industry were voted down.
The proposed ban on deep sea trawl fishing, introduced under the extensive biodiversity bill, was rejected after deputies had voted on the issue and national fishermen’s federation CNPMEM has welcomed what it refers to as a democratic decision based on scientific evidence that clears the way for a measured decision making process at European level.
‘The debate has been held and the assembly took its decision,’ said CNPMEM president Gérard Romiti. ‘This was a decision taken on factual evidence, notably ICES figures.’
A cross-party group of both Socialist and Republican deputies that included former fisheries minister and current mayor of Boulogne Frédéric Cuvillier formed the group leading the opposition to the proposals, following uproar within the industry and calls for ports to be blockaded in protest.
