The European Parliament is recommending a ban on all fishing activities in areas with fragile marine ecosystems, as identified by the European Commission.
Yesterday, the Parliament voted on a draft EU regulation on fishing deep-sea stocks in the North East Atlantic.
A small majority of MEPs voted against a ban on bottom trawling. However, the MEPs introduced a review clause requiring the EU Commission to evaluate the impact of the special fishing gear used for deep-sea fishing after four years.
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The draft regulation will now go to the EU Council of Ministers for approval.
Fianna Fáil MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, who is on the Parliament's Fisheries Committee, explains what will happen if fragile marine ecosystems are identified:
