Fisheries structural policy in the European Union: A critical analysis of a subsidised sector

• Published in: Ocean & coastal management 2014-12, Vol.102, p.200-211
• Main Authors: Lagares, Encarnación Cordón, Ordaz, Félix García
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Effectiveness; Exact sciences and technology; Fisheries policy; Geomorphology, landform evolution; Marine and continental quaternary; Marine fisheries subsidies; Surficial geology
• ISSN: 0964-5691; 1873-524X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2014.10.001

Policies based on grants to specific economic sectors, such as the fisheries sector have become widespread over the last fifty years. Despite their long history, there is no consensus regarding their scope or effects. In recent years, European economic policy has been subject to substantial change, not only regarding the level of funding but also concerning support mechanisms for Member States in the form of grants. The primary objective of this article is to conduct a critical analysis of the impact of EU policies on fisheries subsidies. To this end, it was necessary to analyse the evolution of these subsidies over the period 1994–2012. The article highlights aid for modernising fishing vessels and reducing fishing efforts by scrapping vessels. •We analyse the impact of major EU structural fisheries policies over the last years.•The scrapping subsidies failed to reduce excess fishing capacity.•Many vessels received a scrapping subsidy soon after obtaining modernisation aid.•We identified substantial allocations to forms of aid classified as poor.