BRUSSELS, May 13 (UPI) -- European lawmakers said they wanted to give fisherman more state aid to help improve energy efficiency and deal with high oil prices.
Members of the European Parliament called on the European Commission to develop ways in which the fisheries industry could advance fuel efficiency. Investments in new technology, they said, could help the industry come up with way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Soaring energy costs in the eurozone is having an effect on the operating costs of fishermen and some are even forced to stop working.
Members of the European Parliament called for an increase in the limit for state aid from about $42,000 per company to $84,000 per company for a period of no longer than three years.
"A long-term approach is required to avoid similar problems in future," Parliament added.
