Profitability of the fishing fleet and structural aid in the European Union

A widespread belief exists as to the low financial profitability of fishing companies, but fishermen continue to invest and provoke problems of over-capitalisation. The aim of this study is to provide information on the financial profitability of the European fleet, to analyse the differences between the different segments and the possible influence of structural policies. The results we obtain show that, within the European institutional framework, the prospects of obtaining yields suited to the investment made increase. The coincidence of countries which practise a policy of protectionism and low profitability fleets should be reflected on in the light of the present Common Fisheries Policy reform procedure.