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Thu 11 Nov 2002€600m set aside for fishermen hit by EU reformsThe European Commission is to set aside more than €600 million over the next three years to help fishermen whose incomes will be hit by a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The money will help fishermen to reduce fleets, which the Commission believes is necessary to prevent overfishing of depleted stocks such as cod and hake.The financial package would favour small-scale fishermen, who represent half of those involved in the European fishing industry. It would encourage fishermen to operate closer to the coast and would help them to combine fishing with other economic activities.