The Common Fisheries Policy. Origin, Evaluation and Future

by Mike Holden

The Common Fisheries Policy of the European Communities consists of four separate but inter-related 1/ Markets; 2/ Structures; 3/ International Fisheries Relations; 4/ Conservation . In this incisive volume, the author concentrates on the conservation policy not only because, for many, this is the very heart of the Common Fisheries Policy , but also because at this point of mid-term review it would appear to be a disastrous failure. Michael Holden joined the Commission in 1979 and was closely involved with the negotiations of the conservation policy, its subsequent adoption in January 1983, and its implementation. From his intimate knowledge of the workings of the Community , the author provides an expert appraisal of the aims of the policy, a critical diagnosis of its successes and failures, and in light of the fact that the Common Fisheries Policy still has ten years to run, the book concludes with a very realistic consideration of the future. This book is essential reading for everyone involved with fisheries - a book from which many lessons must be learnt as the problems which face fishermen and fisheries, administrators and politicians, scientists and environmentalists become ever more urgent.

274 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1994