Tiny fishies

last updated 8 January 2015

Paris

The European Court of Justice hit France this week with the biggest fine it has ever levied, accusing the French of harvesting undersize fish. France must pay 20 million euros ($24 million), plus triple that every six months until it has demonstrated compliance with E.U. fishing rules. Pierre-Georges Dachicourt, head of France’s National Fisheries Committee, called the ruling preposterous. “Tons upon tons of small fish are unloaded in Spain and Portugal,” he said. “And you never hear anything about it.” The court, though, said that only French fishermen systematically use nets with mesh that is too closely woven for E.U. standards.