A new report by the environmental NGO Bloom suggests that the European Union may consider dismantling large industrial fishing vessels, which the organization claims "destroy more than they feed." The proposal, which aims to phase out vessels longer than 33 meters by 2035, has been supported by European deputies from the Greens and the left, including French politicians David Cormand and Emma Fourreau. These amendments are part of the negotiations on the EU's next financial framework, which will guide the budget for the next seven years. Currently, the EU has 638 fishing vessels longer than 33 meters, with France accounting for 66 of them, placing it third after Spain and the Netherlands. These vessels, described as "mega-industrial," are accused of engaging in "counterfishing," which involves catching fish in ways that harm the marine ecosystem and local fishing communities. According to Bloom, these vessels are responsible for 55% of the fish catches in the EU despite representing only 1% of the European fleet. The report highlights that vessels over 33 meters tend to create fewer jobs per kg of fish caught compared to smaller vessels and have a greater impact on the ecosystem. Additionally, more than half of their catches are made outside European waters, often through costly fishing agreements with third countries. These practices are seen as a form of "global predation" and externalization of environmental impacts. The report also notes that these large vessels use harmful fishing techniques, with 84% of them employing trawls, nets, or dredges, which are energy-intensive and non-selective. These methods can trap juvenile fish and fragile non-targeted species, such as sharks, rays, turtles, and cetaceans. In contrast, 83% of vessels under 33 meters use "passive" gear, which has a lesser impact on the marine environment. Bloom argues that dismantling these vessels would not only benefit the ocean but also address social justice issues, as it would end privileges that allow a few multinational companies to appropriate wealth. The report estimates the cost of dismantling these vessels at 2.7 billion euros over seven years, which is considered relatively low compared to the 5.6 billion euros the EU forgoes annually through the exemption from the marine diesel tax. Among the largest vessels are the Annelies Ilena, with a fishing net as large as twice the Eiffel Tower, and the Maartje Theodora, which is 140 meters long. Eight of the ten largest ships in Europe belong to the "Big Five," five Dutch companies that dominate European fishing and annually appropriate 400 million kg of fish. The report suggests that the quotas of these large ships could be partly redistributed to artisanal fishermen, who are experiencing a deep crisis, with 25% of full-time jobs in the European fishing sector disappearing since 2017. The environmental and social costs of the current fishing model are significant, with the report noting that the consumption of seafood in France, for example, is at a level that may be detrimental to the ocean's health. Bloom recommends combining the dismantling of large vessels with other measures, such as strengthening the protection of marine areas and coastal zones. The challenge remains to convince a majority of elected officials in Brussels to support these proposals, as 97% of European waters are considered "problematic" in terms of biodiversity, according to a study by the European Environment Agency.