EU accused of exporting problem of overfishing with Mauritania deal

EU vessels to catch shrimp, tuna and other fish in return for funds, but critics say there is little evidence that EU cash is helping Mauritanian fishing communities

The EU has renewed a four-year fishing agreement with Mauritania that will allow more than 100 EU vessels into Mauritania's waters in return for funding that will support local fishing communities. But the deal has its critics.

The agreement, which has just been greenlit by the European parliament, is an avenue for member states to help meet a burgeoning demand for fish that the bloc is unable to satisfy. Since 2009, EU fish imports have risen by 6% each year. In 2014 alone, the bloc imported a21bn (16bn) - quadruple that of meat imports.