"Europe’s floating factories make up just one percent of the fleet but catch more than half the fish—and they cause the majority of environmental damage."
"For Europe’s fishing industry, it turns out size does matter.
Of 60,000 European-flagged fishing boats, just 638 are responsible for most of the harm, according to a new report by French non-profit BLOOM. The largest in the fleet, at 108 feet or longer, pose the greatest threat to food security, cost taxpayers the most and cause unparalleled environmental harms.
As the European Union decides how to spend its almost $8 billion fisheries budget for 2028-2034, environmentalists are calling for the dismantling of these “mega-industrial” ships.
“They’re one percent of the fleet, and they threaten 99 percent of fishers,” said Claire Nouvian, founder and director of BLOOM. “They’re a zombie industry in the sense they’re actually creating death, creating misery, creating pillage and creating injustice.” "
Johnny Sturgeon reports for Inside Climate News October 1, 2026.
