Minister Crevits advocates investment support for new fishing vessels

The question arose just when a fishing boat from Zeebrugge sank off the British coast. According to Crevits, it is important to raise the issue when Flanders takes on the EU presidency for fisheries next year.

But the European ban means that Flanders cannot grant investment aid for new vessels. Crevits wants to change that during European negotiations.

The vessels are now on average 31 years old. Together with the shipowner and the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO), they map out the benefits of new vessels, such as safety. Then they decide whether this can be a boost for a more sustainable fishing fleet.