The port of Vigo and its fishing fleet joined this morning in the industry’s European-level protest against Brussels’ policies and particularly the figure of the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. Virginijus Sinkevicius. Some purse seiners and trawlers In those Berbés and Beiramar they blew their noon horns, others did it on the high seas during the operation. Javier Touza, president of Vigo Shipowners’ Cooperative (ARVI), said: “We will either reverse the situation or perish.“.
in front of a sign asking Resignation of the Lithuanian commissionerA representative of the city’s maritime-industrial chain met in front of the cooperative headquarters. siren sounds in the background.
“We see one radicalism and total fixation environmental ideas“Touza drew attention to the European Commission’s policies, particularly the veto on trawling in marine protected areas that will occupy 30% of community waters by 2030.
this community roadmap that follows, bottom fishing veto Last October, 87 fishing grounds discourage shipowners. “The most common word is to scrap.Believing that this drift “increased” the generational shift problem plaguing the industry, Touza warned.
“we are at the border“, stated before advancing a meeting tomorrow Galician Fisheries Councilwhere the entire maritime-industrial chain will create “road maps” for the following actions.
To follow
Although a significant part of the fleet did not participate in the protest as it was not affected (especially, fence and the rest of the coast), whistles were heard in many ports of the community and in Spain and the rest of Europe.
seleiroHe participated in this “symbolic protest action” described by the director of the Fish Producers Association, one of the most affected by the veto on bottom fishing, Sergio Lopez. “It’s a manifestation of the helplessness, anger and disagreement over the fisheries policies currently underway,” he added.
Inside Burella A concentration similar to that in Vigo took place at the foot of the pier, where protest black crosses have been placed, as has been the case in German ports in recent weeks.
employers
The European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA) sent a statement signed with the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), supported by Europêche, EAPO and Cogeca. “The fishermen blew the horns of the boats instead of celebrating the historical unity and social welfare of the peoples of Europe. call for helpto show that the fishing fleet is slowly disappearing”.
“The industry hopes that this joint call will be taken seriously by EU policymakers and put an end to the policies that triggered this crisis,” the statement said.