Press releases
Fisheries
Fisheries: Commission proposes reduced fishing opportunities for the Black Sea for 2011
30/11/2010
The European Commission has tabled its proposal on fishing possibilities for fish stocks in the Black Sea for 2011.
European Commission: Summary of the results of the 2011 ICCAT annual meeting
28/11/2010
On Saturday 27 November the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) closed.
Press statement by EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki, after the ICCAT annual meeting in Paris which closed on Saturday 27 November 
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27/11/2010
"This year's ICCAT meeting has produced results which represent a step in the right direction for sustainable management of bluefin tuna and other species. This is important not just for ICCAT waters and stocks, but for fisheries management globally, and for the EU as a whole...
Preparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of November 2010
26/11/2010
The Agriculture & Fisheries Council will meet in Brussels on Monday 29 November (starting at 10 a.m.) and (if necessary) Tuesday 30 November. It will be chaired for the Agriculture issues by Mrs Sabine Laruelle, ...
ICCAT: EU tables ambitious proposals to protect sharks
23/11/2010
At the annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) being held this week in Paris, the EU has tabled proposals for two new recommendations prohibiting fishing for porbeagle and thresher and hammerhead sharks....
Statement by Commissioner Maria Damanaki on the Council decision on the Bluefin Tuna mandate for the upcoming ICCAT meeting in Paris [7 KB]
17/11/2010
The Council has reached a decision on the Bluefin Tuna mandate for the upcoming ICCAT meeting in Paris, which is not based on the Commission's proposal.
Nevertheless, the Commission will respect its obligations as the negotiator on behalf of the European Union.
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Commission to stop shark finning
15/11/2010
The European Commission wants to eradicate the practice of shark finning completely from EU waters and fishing vessels from the EU wherever they operate in the world. Finning consists of cutting off and keeping the fins of sharks while throwing the shark body overboard to die.
Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy: last stakeholders' conference on the reform to take place tomorrow
15/11/2010
Three European Commissioners and a wide range of stakeholders will speak at the conference entitled "Another Future for Fisheries" tomorrow, 16 November in Brussels. The event, hosted by European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki, will feature speeches by Commissioner for Research and Innovation Ms Màire Geoghegan-Quinn and by Environment Commissioner Mr Janez Potocnik.
Statement by Ms. Maria Damanaki on Coreper meeting of today on the mandate for bluefin tuna ahead of the upcoming ICCAT meeting in Paris
12/11/2010
I regret that the Coreper meeting of today on the bluefin tuna mandate for the ICCAT meeting was inconclusive. I am fully aware of the fact that there are diverging views among Member States. The Commission's proposal has taken into account all these different approaches and it is the best way to ensure the long-term sustainability of this sensitive species and the prospects of our fishermen. Time is running short, but we look forward to working with the Presidency and Member States, so as to reach an agreement in time for the ICCAT meeting next week. If a mandate will be adopted along these lines, it will be to the benefit of the EU.
Fisheries: Commission proposes science-based, sustainable fishing opportunities for 2011
11/11/2010
The European Commission has adopted its fishing opportunities proposal for 2011 setting levels of total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing effort for the Atlantic, the North Sea, and international waters regulated ...
European Commission's proposal on fishing opportunities: the ins and outs
11/11/2010
What are TACs and quotas?
A TAC – which stands for total allowable catch – is a legal limit on the overall amount of fish of a particular species that can be taken from the sea in a given area and brought ashore over a specified period (usually one year). A quota is a share of the TAC that can be fished by one Member State.
Statement on the ICCAT Annual Meeting and bluefin tuna
09/11/2010
On 9 November 2010 the European Commission adopted a proposal for the EU position on bluefin tuna at the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). At the meeting, ICCAT Parties will be called to agree on a bluefin tuna recovery plan for the period 2011-2013. Commissioner Damanaki has issued the following statement:
