Croatia seeks flexible fishing rules and fleet modernization

During a meeting of the Council for Agriculture and Fisheries in Brussels, Croatian representatives addressed the challenges facing the national fishing fleet. Minister David Vlajčić emphasized the need for more flexible and implementable rules to ensure the survival of fishermen amidst declining sardine and anchovy populations.

Discussions focused on the future funding of the Common Fisheries Policy, amendments to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and the modernization of fishing fleets. Croatia has called for adequate compensation for fishermen when catch limits or fishing zones are restricted, noting that current measures to encourage retirement are insufficient to prevent the industry's decline.