Mr Casa had already been chosen to form part of the delegation for Bulgaria, and was appointed substitute in the delegation for Turkey.

This position was sought after by several other members but Mr Casa is set to be approved with a vast majority, sources said. In this position all members of the fisheries committee will have to negotiate any amendments with Mr Casa.

The fisheries fund that will be replacing the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) will have four main priorities, namely:

• The reduction of fishing pressure and better

protection for the marine environment;

• Aquaculture and the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products;

• Measures of collective benefit;

• Sustainable development of coastal fishing areas.

EFF funding will promote the development of measures designed to address the specific development needs of the fishing areas concerned. Aid will be available to people employed either in the fisheries sector or in fisheries-related business. Projects promoting the role of women in fishing communities will be encouraged.

Three-quarters of the budget will be allocated to the regions lagging behind, most of which are in the new member states.