We are always being told to "read the terms and conditions' - many in the fishing industry may feel DEFRA have shown dereliction in their duty to do so on their behalf.
As Article 25 says:
(1) When distributing catch quotas and effort quotas for use by fishing boats, the national fisheries authorities must use criteria that—
- (a)are transparent and objective, and
- (b)include criteria relating to environmental, social and economic factors.
(2) The criteria may in particular relate to—
- (a)the impact of fishing on the environment;
- (b)the history of compliance with regulatory requirements relating to fishing
- (c)the contribution of fishing to the local economy;
- (d)historic catch levels.
(3) When distributing catch quotas and effort quotas for use by fishing boats, the national fisheries authorities must seek to incentivise—
- (a)the use of selective fishing gear, and
- (b)the use of fishing techniques that have a reduced impact on the environment (for example that use less energy or cause less damage to habitats).
Seeing is believing.
