EU aims to save Mediterranean fish from extinction

Europe's fisheries chief unveiled a plan yesterday to prevent the extinction of Mediterranean species including swordfish and octopus, already at dangerously low levels due to years of overfishing.

Under the proposals set out by EU Commissioner Franz Fischler, fishermen would use nets with bigger holes - preventing them from catching young fish - and trawlers would stay out of coastal zones.

"This proposal is a fresh approach to achieve sustainable fishing to safeguard the future of 100,000 fishermen," he said in a statement.

Species such as hake, swordfish, octopus and sardines - firm favourites on dinner tables in Mediterranean countries - are on the danger list.

EU members Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece all fish in the Mediterranean Sea, as do Malta and Slovenia which will join the EU next May.

Italy, current head of the EU, is organising a conference in Venice next month to encourage cooperation among countries which have a Mediterranean coastline to stop overfishing.

Since the Mediterranean is an international fishing zone bordered by many countries, the EU cannot save fish stocks from collapse on its own.