Blue Marine Foundation has condemned the UK government’s continued use of red diesel tax breaks for the fishing industry, calling them “unjustifiable” and “idiotic.” These subsidies, worth up to £180 million per year, overwhelmingly support the most fuel-intensive and environmentally destructive fishing methods, such as bottom trawling and dredging. Charles Clover, co-founder of the Blue Marine Foundation said “The government has never admitted that it was dishing out anything like this much in tax breaks to the fishing industry…”. Blue Marine warns that this public funding directly undermines national climate goals and entrenches unsustainable practices in UK fisheries. Alongside partner organisations, Blue Marine is calling for these subsidies to be phased out, urging a transition towards low-carbon, sustainable fishing that protects marine ecosystems and supports long-term ocean health.
Read the full article by The Guardian here.
