The European Community's common fisheries policy
Since 1976, the European Community has assumed responsibility for the development of fisheries policy within the EEZs of its member states. The success of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has been diminished by two factors: the progressive enlargement of the common pond and the precedence given to the political need for relative stability over the scientific imperative of resource conservation. Only a fundamental reform of the CFP by 2002 can hope to redeem the Community's fishing industry from the damaging effects of the politics of national self-interest.