The European Parliament (EP) approved the allocation of EUR 40 million for the ‘Integrated Maritime Policy’, between 2011 and 2012 to support fishing and shipping, among other issues.

In Strasbourg, the EP plenary gave its approval to a report by the Greek MEP from the European People’s Party (EPP), Georgios Koumoutsakos, indicating that the European maritime policy has the potential to boost economic growth and to generate jobs.

The adopted text indicates that after 2013 “it will require to have adequate resources that enable the development and the implementation of the objectives of the Integrated Maritime Policy without compromising the resources for other policies.”

In addition, it will have to “promote the sustainable development of the maritime regions of the Union, including the islands and outermost regions,” the agency EFE reported.

Koumoutsakos explained that the main medium-term objective is to include the integrated maritime policy in the next budget of the European Union (EU).

The Community Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, commented during the debate preceding the vote session that “it will be necessary to set priorities” and noted that those projects that do not have other funding routes will have to be the first to apply for aid.

The agreement, which was reached with 514 votes in favor, 33 against and 14 abstentions, will be used to fund initiatives in the maritime transport sphere, coastal tourism, fisheries and environmental protection.

The EP also required the creation of a system to punish countries that allow their vessels to participate in illegal fishing activities.

The Parliament Plenum also passed a resolution of the MEP from the Swedish Green Party, Isabella Lovin, asking the 27 Member States to take the international lead in the fight against illegal fishing catches.

Illegal fishing represents 15 per cent of global catches, ranging between 11 and 26 million tonnes annually.

MEPs call for the signing of agreements that prohibit the sale of illegally caught fish, a global certification scheme for fisheries and greater control of imports.

In this regard, the European Commissioner acknowledged that unreported fishing is a problem that is “difficult to solve.”