According to UKIP, in 2006, the EU negotiated a fisheries agreement with Mauritania, which is due to be renewed this year. In return for fishing rights, the EU pays Mauritania 86 million euros per annum.

"This has led to the devastation of Mauritania's fish stocks, with species disappearing, and thousands of Africans being thrown out of employment. The UN lays the blame firmly at the door of the foreign fisheries agreements," a statement issued by the UKIP today said.

According to the party, the country is dependent on its fishing industry for 50% of its gross national exports, representing 15% of GDP.

UKIP contends that having damaged the economy and destroyed the environment, the Commission now wants to pull the plug on the deal, and withdraw funding. In a document distributed to selected MEPs in Brussels, the Commission's intention to 'denounce' the agreement on grounds of insufficient fishing opportunities and because the 'financial contribution was too expensive,' is spelled out according to UKIP. MEPs were asked to refrain from public discussion of the Commission's plans,a UKIP statement continued.

Speaking in parliament yesterday, UKIP MEP Tom Wise, a member of the fisheries committee, said: "The export of fish is significantly more important to the developing world in trade terms than other commodities such as rice, coffee, and tea.

"Mauritania for example is dependent on its fishing industry for half of its exports, representing 15% of its GDP." But having devastated Mauritanian waters, the Commission now wants to dump its deal.

" It does not think these now sterile waters are worth 86 million euros a year.

"This denunciation of the fisheries agreement is supposed to be a secret. Well it was until now. I think the African people should know about the EU's shabby and dishonourable plans.

"It is colonialism at its most vicious, and I accuse these institutions of racism and exploitation of vulnerable societies".

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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