PETA Urges Germany to Redirect €4.5M Fishing Diesel Aid Toward Ocean Cleanup and Plant Protein

PETA Germany is urging the German federal government to redirect its €4.5 million aid package for North Sea and Baltic Sea fishing businesses towards retraining fishers and growing plant-based protein crops. The funding, provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in response to rising diesel prices, offers grants of up to €50,000 per business, with applications opening on September 14.

PETA objects to public money supporting the fishing sector, arguing that the industry is depleting the same waters the aid is meant to sustain. Instead, the organization suggests moving fishers into ocean restoration work, such as collecting ghost nets, cleaning up the oceans, and planting seagrass. Additionally, PETA calls for greater investment in domestic crops that supply the plant protein sector, including lupins and other legumes processed into ingredients for meat and dairy alternatives.