Q&A: Reform of EU fishing policy

The EU faces the challenge of making fishing both sustainable and profitable

The European Parliament has approved a package of major reforms to the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), designed to cut waste and stop overfishing in European waters.

Under the plan, the existing system of fishing quotas - which often leads to tonnes of perfectly good fish being dumped at sea - will be reformed.

For the first time MEPs have legislative power in this policy area. They are proposing amendments to a European Commission reform plan for the CFP. But there will be more negotiations with the 27 fisheries ministers this year before the changes become EU law.

What is wrong with the existing system?

What was the current policy designed to do?

How does the EU plan to protect fish stocks now?

What is the time frame for the changes?

What has been the response so far to the plan?