Flemish Fisheries Minister Hilde Crevits (Flemish Christian democrat) has condemned a Greenpeace action last weekend that involved dumping granite blocks off the east coast of England, an area frequently visited by Flemish fishermen. Crevits describes the action as life-threatening and emphasises that the fishermen are operating legally. Environmental organisation Greenpeace defends the action and says it was not intended to target fishermen.
Flemish Fisheries Minister Crevits slates Greenpeace action in the North Sea
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Greenpeace dropped granite blocks in the southern North Sea, off the east coast of England last weekend. The organisation has carried out similar actions on several occasions in recent years. Greenpeace believes that the seabed and fish stocks in the North Sea are not sufficiently protected against trawling. The area where it has now dumped the blocks is a protected zone, but fishing is permitted. Because of the blocks, this is no longer possible.
The action has drawn criticism from Flemish fishermen. “The area where Greenpeace has dumped blocks is one of the most important fishing grounds for Belgian fishermen,” shipowner and fisherman Johan Hennaert, who sails from the port of Ostend, told VRT NEWS. He has been in the trade for over 40 years. Hennaert describes the action as life-threatening, as vessels could capsize if such a block becomes entangled in their nets.
‘Absolutely irresponsible’
Flemish Fisheries Minister Hilde Crevits agrees. ‘I think it’s a disgrace. I was very angry when I heard about it,’ she says.
“I have no problem with an organisation taking action, but I cannot understand why they would put fishermen at risk in the process. The fishermen carry out their work in accordance with the rules. It is therefore absolutely irresponsible for a lobby organisation to endanger the lives of fishermen.”
According to the minister, Flanders is already investing heavily in new fishing techniques that disrupt marine life as little as possible. “In Flanders, we have a great deal of experience with innovative fishing techniques that cause minimal disturbance to the seabed and are safe. I understand that this may not be enough for some organisations. But surely, you shouldn’t endanger the lives of people who are already risking their lives to put fish on our plates.”
The minister is now looking into how this can be addressed, given that the blocks are located in British waters. She has already raised her concerns with the British MMO (Marine Management Organisation) and the British Coastguard. “I will also be discussing this with the European Commissioner for Fisheries next week,” Crevits said.
‘Action is aimed at the British government’
Greenpeace told VRT NEWS that it continues to support the action. ‘We certainly understand the concerns and would like to accept an invitation to engage in dialogue,’ says Ruth-Marie Henckes, Ocean Campaigner at Greenpeace Belgium.
“We are taking every possible precaution to ensure that these actions are carried out safely. In the past there have not been any incidents caused by the blocks we have placed. We want these zones to be fully protected, not just on paper but in reality.”
The main aim of this action is to send a message to the British government. “We do not wish to target the fishermen. This action is aimed at the British government to urge it to take the necessary measures for ocean protection. We understand that fishermen can no longer fish everywhere, but marine reserves are also good for fishermen. They ensure there are more and larger fish both within and outside those reserves, and therefore a bigger catch for fishermen.”