The fishing sector reacts displeased to controls: “Drugs are not just a problem for fishermen”
Of the 40 people in the district of Veurne who are registered as professional fishermen, 15 are known to use, possess or sell narcotics. This is evident from figures from the public prosecutor’s office of West Flanders. To tackle the problem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the North Sea Vincent Van Quickenborne is working on modernizing the legislation on alcohol and drug abuse at sea. There will also be more preventive checks on fishermen’s embarkation.
Shipowners are anything but satisfied with the picture the sector is getting. The fishing industry does not want to be portrayed as a sector with a major problem of drugs and alcohol. Narcotics are a problem for society as a whole and not just for fishermen.