ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector

ClientEarth advocates for the removal of fuel tax exemptions in the EU fisheries sector, arguing that these 'harmful subsidies' artificially lower costs, increase fishing capacity, and exacerbate overfishing. The document suggests that these exemptions disproportionately benefit large-scale vessels and super-trawlers, while small-scale fishers are more vulnerable. To achieve this, ClientEarth proposes revising the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) and leveraging WTO negotiations. It recommends redirecting financial support toward low-impact, small-scale fishers through better quota access and the post-2020 European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to ensure a just transition and environmental sustainability.

• Fuel exemptions are classified as harmful subsidies because they reduce the cost of fishing, which leads to increased fishing capacity and contributes to overfishing when stocks are not at sustainable levels.
• Fuel tax exemptions disproportionately benefit large-scale fishers and super-trawlers, who consume the vast majority of fuel compared to small-scale fleets.
• The elimination of fuel exemptions should be achieved through the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) and within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations.
• The EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050, as set out in the European Green Deal, requires the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies.
• To protect vulnerable coastal communities and small-scale fishers during the transition, the EU should provide better access to quotas and target support toward low-impact fishing practices.
• Current EU funding for fisheries is skewed toward large-scale operations, with 80% of direct subsidies benefiting vessels over 12 metres.

APA

ClientEarth (2020). ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector. https://www.clientearth.org/media/ehcptcis/clientearth-s-position-on-fuel-subsidies-in-the-fisheries-sector-october-2020.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector. 2020. https://www.clientearth.org/media/ehcptcis/clientearth-s-position-on-fuel-subsidies-in-the-fisheries-sector-october-2020.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector |date=October 2020 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/ehcptcis/clientearth-s-position-on-fuel-subsidies-in-the-fisheries-sector-october-2020.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2020clientearths, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/ehcptcis/clientearth-s-position-on-fuel-subsidies-in-the-fisheries-sector-october-2020.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }