European Parliament votes to ban fly fishing in part of the English Channel

The European Parliament has voted to ban fly fishing in French territorial waters of the Channel, following reports that the technique, also known as seine net, had a "devastating" effect on local fishermen.

Activists described the result as a victory for small-scale fishermen. Organizations representing coastal fishing communities on both sides of the Channel have warned that industrial trawling methods, including fly shooting, are decimating their livelihoods and the marine ecosystem.

While the European Parliament does not have the power to ban the fishing method, MEPs said Tuesday's vote sent an important message to policymakers about the impact of fly-fishing on coastal fishing communities. The vote on an amendment to the Common Fisheries Policy, involving access to territorial waters, will now be considered by the European Commission, Parliament and EU Member States.

Last year the UK was accused of allowing vessels using the fishing method "unimpeded access" to the English Channel without proper fish impact assessment, the seabed or the livelihoods of coastal communities.

"This is a very important day for ocean and coastal fishing communities," said Laetitia Bisiaux, project manager for French environmental organization Bloom. “MPs have been told of the destructive effects of demersal seine fishing by fishermen who practice this technique themselves. MEPs have heeded warnings that have long been ignored.

"The vote is a good political message from the European Parliament to fishermen and Member States to ban this technically destructive fishing" , she said.

Fly fishing boats, also known as Danish, Scottish or demersal seiners, pull weighted ropes along the seabed at either end of a net that encircles and captures entire schools of fish.

An expert told the Guardian that the method has between four and 11 times the " destructive power" of coastal fishing vessels.

The fisheries policy amendment was tabled by French Green MEP Caroline Roose, who said that it was an "important first step" towards a ban.

Roose said: "Yesterday's vote sends a clear message in favor of fishermen and NGOs calling for a moratorium on demersal seines in the English Channel. The amendment itself allows the French government to ban its use off the French coast.

"This is only a first step because any decision to limit or to ban demersal seining in the Channel will have to be negotiated with the European Commission and Member States Public pressure will be essential to ensure that yesterday's decision is actually implemented and the UK Government to act. /p>

In June 2021 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it was considering the potential impact of fly shooting on the fishing industry. fishing in the UK The UK has licensed 15 fly-shooting boats between 2011 and 2021.

Jeremy Percy, direct Founder and Senior Advisor at Low Impact Fishers of Europe, said: "It's a long way to get something done, but at least Europe seems to be tackling the problem. We have become very efficient at catching fish, but management and regulations have not kept pace.

"We are all anglers and we all need and deserve earn a living, but that should never come at the expense of any other fishing sector, and in particular such a vulnerable sector, such as the smaller scale UK fleet.

"It is all the more frustrating that we have left the EU, but we still allow the large-scale destruction by larger EU ships to continue unabated.