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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/16/european-parliament-votes-to-end-electric-pulse-fishing
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| European parliament votes to end electric pulse fishing | European parliament votes to end electric pulse fishing |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Campaigners hail movement towards prohibiting the controversial practice but warn other measures will leave European waters in a worse state | Campaigners hail movement towards prohibiting the controversial practice but warn other measures will leave European waters in a worse state |
| Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent | Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent |
| Tue 16 Jan 2018 16.37 GMT | Tue 16 Jan 2018 16.37 GMT |
| Last modified on Tue 16 Jan 2018 22.01 GMT | |
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| The European Union’s parliament has voted to prohibit the controversial practice of electrical pulse fishing within EU waters, to the approval of some groups of small-scale fishermen and green campaigners. | The European Union’s parliament has voted to prohibit the controversial practice of electrical pulse fishing within EU waters, to the approval of some groups of small-scale fishermen and green campaigners. |
| However, a series of other measures designed to prevent overfishing and preserve the marine environment were voted down. Campaigners say the rejection will have a damaging effect on Europe’s fisheries for many years. | However, a series of other measures designed to prevent overfishing and preserve the marine environment were voted down. Campaigners say the rejection will have a damaging effect on Europe’s fisheries for many years. |
| Tuesday’s votes will still have to be discussed among member states, the European commission, and parliament before approval, so this decision is not yet final. However, the step is a landmark for activists who say pulse fishing is harmful. | Tuesday’s votes will still have to be discussed among member states, the European commission, and parliament before approval, so this decision is not yet final. However, the step is a landmark for activists who say pulse fishing is harmful. |
| Pulse fishing uses electrodes attached to nets to send electrical signals close to the surface of the seabed, driving some fish to move into the nets. Proponents say it is efficient and avoids the damage of bottom trawling, by which the seabed is effectively ploughed in order to catch fish living there. Opponents say it is cruel and could cause pain to fish and damage to their habitats. | Pulse fishing uses electrodes attached to nets to send electrical signals close to the surface of the seabed, driving some fish to move into the nets. Proponents say it is efficient and avoids the damage of bottom trawling, by which the seabed is effectively ploughed in order to catch fish living there. Opponents say it is cruel and could cause pain to fish and damage to their habitats. |
| The practice was banned in 1998, but in 2006 a derogation was allowed that has been exploited, especially by the Dutch fishing fleet. At least 84 Dutch vessels are licensed, along with a small number from other member states, including 12 in the UK. | The practice was banned in 1998, but in 2006 a derogation was allowed that has been exploited, especially by the Dutch fishing fleet. At least 84 Dutch vessels are licensed, along with a small number from other member states, including 12 in the UK. |
| If the parliament’s vote is upheld without loopholes, all would have to cease. | If the parliament’s vote is upheld without loopholes, all would have to cease. |
| However, in the UK, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations has not yet decided whether to support pulse fishing after Brexit. Chief executive Barry Deas, told the Guardian it was still under discussion. | However, in the UK, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations has not yet decided whether to support pulse fishing after Brexit. Chief executive Barry Deas, told the Guardian it was still under discussion. |
| Campaigners said other votes passed on Tuesday will leave European waters in a worse state. | Campaigners said other votes passed on Tuesday will leave European waters in a worse state. |
| MEPs voted against quantitative binding targets to reduce the catch of small young fish, which is essential to ensuring fish can reproduce. These decisions are also subject to further approval, so could be reversed, but given the vested fishing interests in many EU governments that may be unlikely. | MEPs voted against quantitative binding targets to reduce the catch of small young fish, which is essential to ensuring fish can reproduce. These decisions are also subject to further approval, so could be reversed, but given the vested fishing interests in many EU governments that may be unlikely. |
| Björn Stockhausen, fisheries policy officer at the Seas At Risk alliance, said: “The European parliament has weakened the measures that have granted protection to European seas for decades. These new diminished rules will undermine the health of marine ecosystems and the stability of fish stocks.” | Björn Stockhausen, fisheries policy officer at the Seas At Risk alliance, said: “The European parliament has weakened the measures that have granted protection to European seas for decades. These new diminished rules will undermine the health of marine ecosystems and the stability of fish stocks.” |
| Fishing | Fishing |
| Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Conservation |
| Marine life | Marine life |
| news | news |
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