§ 26. Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to promote the development of a sustainable fishing policy in developing countries. [37340]
§ Clare ShortFisheries make a vital contribution to the livelihoods and nutrition of poor people in developing countries. We are therefore pressing for improvements in international fisheries policies through the World Summit for Sustainable Development, through the review of the Common Fisheries Policy and through our contributions to the rural development and fisheries development strategies of the European Commission. More directly, we promote sustainable fisheries by helping West African countries implement the internationally agreed Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries which, if properly applied, can secure the health of fish resources and the livelihoods dependent on them.
DFID also has an explicit objective of achieving coherence between the EU's fisheries and development cooperation policies, especially in the way in which fisheries agreements between Europe and developing countries are implemented. The transfer of excess European capacity through such agreements poses serious 333W risks to fisheries in developing countries, many of whom do not have the necessary management capacity. DFID also funds research to clarify and highlight the impacts of these agreements and is pressing the EU/EC at all levels to introduce measures to safeguard both the short-and long-term interests of poor people in the countries concerned.