Commercial fishing under lens

A new inquiry has been set up to study the impact of environmentally sensitive fishing on biologically important marine areas along Sweden’s coasts.

The National Board of Fisheries (Fiskeriverket), the Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) and county administrative boards have been given the responsibility to review ways of applying the Swedish Environmental Code and the Fisheries Act. Fisheries Board Director-General Axel Wenblad informed that this really applies to commercial fishing, and we will be working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the relevant county administrative boards, which are ultimately responsible for these areas.

There are some ten Natura 2000 sites along Sweden’s coastline, forming part of a network of natural sites designated by the EU as special protection areas. These are regarded as uniquely important to biodiversity conservation. It is true that commercial fishing is a contentious issue throughout the EU particularly in view of its environmental impact. Environmental organisations have long accused the fishing industry of excessive depredation of Natura 2000 sites.

It is told that in September there will be a set of regulations for commercial fishing in protected areas by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fisheries Board and the county administrative boards. Commenting on this Wenblad said that they will be looking at the existing regulations, threat scenarios and possible measures to find ways of moving forward with the Environmental Code and the Fisheries Act.

Source: thelocal.se"

WorldFishingToday d. 01-06-2009