EU committee backs reforms to salvage fish stocks

The 13-10 committee vote surprised environmentalists used to decades of policy inaction as fish stocks plunged in the continent's waters. Statistics released the day of the vote show that EU catches have declined by almost 40 percent in 15 years.

Even if the full parliament backs the proposals — which aim to toughen fleet management while easing pressure on dwindling stocks — legislators still have to wrestle with member governments before such measures could be pushed through.

Nonetheless, environmentalists lauded the committee's action.