European Fisheries Subsidies: State Aid – The Hidden Subsidies

Attributed Authors:
  • Vanya Vulperhorst, Andrzej Bialas, Sarah Todd and Maria José Cornax
 Published: Jul 2013

The fishing industry in the European Union (EU) receives a significant amount of government subsidies, which have promoted the overcapacity of European fishing fleets, resulting in overfishing, and rendering fisheries in many European countries unprofitable and a poor investment for taxpayers. In 13 countries, subsidies added up to an amount greater than the value of the fish catch.


This paper presents the results of a six month study into state aid, the hidden subsidies allocated by Member States to
their fleets. Oceana estimates these subsidies total to €4,9 billion, of which only 1% can be identified as beneficial to
the marine environment.

 

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