EU Regulations Triggering Illegal Fishing in Tunisia and Libya

An investigation has revealed that products resulting from illegal and irregular fishing activities can easily enter the EU market, leading to unfair competition with EU fishers. The investigative team has reconstructed the seafood supply chain, from fishers who are oppressed by middlemen, through exporting companies, all the way to consumers in the EU. The resulting picture is that of a shady business with little control over the fish consumed in Europe, which is detrimental to Tunisian artisanal fishers and the fragile marine ecosystem.

IMPACT

The investigation was mentioned during a presentation by the Spanish Deputy General Director of fishery and fight against illegal fishing, from the Spanish Ministry of Food, Fish and Agriculture, in the report 'Spain and the fight against illegal fishing' (see page 3 here).