The European Parliament has voted to outlaw “ the fishing ” , which uses electricity to stun fish , in European Union ( EU ) waters . Although the technique was already technically illegal within the EU , a loophole meant that countries were permitted to catch up to 50 % of annual quotas via “ innovative methods ” . Fish - particularly sole - are stunned, which forces them to float upwards, making them easier to catch. Critics claim that the technique harms fish and also kills other marine species . However , the European Commission and the government of the Netherlands argue that pulse fishing is less damaging to the environment than trawling . French and UK supermarkets Intermarché and Waitrose have banned fish caught using the technique .
The European Parliament has voted to outlaw “ the fishing ” , which uses electricity to stun fish , in European Union ( EU ) waters . Although the technique was already technically illegal within the EU , a loophole meant that countries were permitted to catch up to 50 % of annual quotas via “ innovative methods ” . Critics claim that the technique harms fish and also kills other marine species . However , the European Commission and the government of the Netherlands argue that pulse fishing is less damaging to the environment than trawling . French and UK supermarkets Intermarché and Waitrose have banned fish caught using the technique .