Developments and trends in EEC fisheries with special reference to aquaculture

Abstract

This study analyses official data submitted by national authorities to international organisations or published nationally in order to determine the developments in EEC fisheries. For the relevant technical aspects of fisheries a literature survey has been made. With the extension of economic zones the Community's supply of traditional food fish has dropped by about 1 million tonnes per year since 1971. Catches of these fish in distant waters are less than half the level in 1971. The Community's total fish production only remains at its earlier level because of a doubling of the catch of industrial species and a five-fold increase in catches of non traditional food fish.The future catch from marine waters will probably be at the same level as at present. Many of the fish stocks will be subjected to more stringent management measures but a deep water fishery could be developed. Community interest in the Antarctic krill fishery is thought to be minimal. With the redistribution of catches amongst fishing nations the volume of foreign trade in fish and related products has increased and will probably continue to do so. The number of distant water fishing vessels has decreased with the limitation on access to these waters. The tonnage of near water vessels has increased slightly as a result of the effort to makeup the deficit in distant water catches. Aquacultural production in the Community has not fulfilled earlier forecasts. It will never be large enough to make up the deficit from marine fisheries but there are good prospects for the production of higher valued species. The level of such production will depend on technological progress and on the encouragement given by the central authorities.