Les pêches maritimes britanniques : une activité en crise

Abstract

SUMMARY Already seriously affected by the stagnation of domestic demand and by the over exploitation of certain species, the British maritime fishing industry has very poorly supported the effects of the recent energy crisis. Furthermore, the generalization of the 200 mile fishing limit in the North Atlantic has deprived British fleet owners of fishing areas that are particularly rich in commercial types of fish. In addition, all of the fishing ports where industrial fishing is conducted have been struck by the same stagnation : the offices of many ship and boat owners are definitely closed, a large part of the trawler fleet has been disbanded, the fish transformation industries are inadequately supplied in spite of an increase in imports, and many of the unemployed fishermen are finding it extremely difficult to adjust to conditions ashore. This situation accounts for the attitude of London which is refusing to make of its 200 miles limit a community area, as is desired by the C.E.E. , and is asking for an exclusive fishing zone which would be capable of reviving its deep sea fishing activities and of maintaining an active coastal fishing program. Finally, in an attempt to save their high sea fishing fleet, the shipowners are attempting to create joint ventures overseas, and they have their eyes set on certain fishing zones in the Southern Hemisphere that are still under-exploited.