Follow The Money
Sine 1996 I have off and on been working on subsidies for the fishing industry.
I have been professionally in awe at how such a small industry in europe has managed to wrangle so much money from the taxpayers.
I have always been happy to learn that there are vast parts of the fishing industry that manage to make a very good living by not using subsidies. As a fishermen I have the greatest admiration once put “Aaron, the day you become dependent on the government for a cheque to make a living, is the day you have given up being a fishermen”.
Keep It Secret
Franz Kafka has taught politicians and officials who support this bankrolling operation a few lessons. First, you deny that you have the information. Second, if you persist, you claim you can’t provide the information. Third, at this stage, most people give up.
As I have recently written, Chris Davies MEP, asked the Commission for details of the fleet fishing under fishing partnership agreements and how much they get in subsidies. The Commission turned down Mr Davies flat. I asked for similar information, and all I got was an estimate of how many boats were fishing under a number of partnership agreements. I have appealed.
Follow The Money
I am often bemused to watch the debates in the European Parliament’s Fishing Committee. I worked there for a Labour MEP many years ago. It is the land that time forgot, or at least economic reality passed by.
I find the speeches of Alain Cadec MEP the most interesting. For a few months I sat there and thought I was listening to a former Greek Communist MEP who used to condemn international capitalism. I recall the Greek Communist was a man of great intergrity, he had fought fascism during WWII and during the Generals. Alain Cadec’s condemns “liberalism” with similar ferocity.
Alain Cadec also wants make sure that scarce fishing subsidies go the boat building and scrapping. So, I looked to find out how the money for his constituency got spent.
Keep the Locals Happy
His region, Brittany, is home to France’s fishing industry. It is also home to France’s vast Distant Water fleet.
Who Gets What in France’s Distant Water Fleet
You can find out how much France’s fleet (and Spain) gets from taxpayers to fish in foreign countries waters.
Click aid to dwf public for the file
And, Some More Support
And, I should not forget the amount of money the EU pays each year to get access to these waters. These sums of money are not small.
How Many Boats and How Much Does it Cost A Year
Agreement Number of Vessels EU Annual Fee
- EU/Cap Verde: 60 EU vessels 445 000 €
- EU/Comores: 22 EU vessels 615 250 €
- EU/Ivory Coast: 21 EU vessels 595 000 €
- EU/Greenland: 25 EU vessels 15 874 244 €
- EU/Madagascar: 57 EU vessels 1 197 000 €
- EU/Mozambique: 36 EU vesels 980 000 €
- EU/São Tome y Principe: 26 EU vessels 682 500 €
- EU/Seychelles: 20 EU vessels 5 600 000 €