Opening the dialogue for eliminating discards
Today, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki is meeting a wide range of stakeholders from the fishing industry, environmental NGOs and fishermen's organisations to discuss what can be done to stop discarding of fish. Discarding is the practice of throwing back unwanted fish to the sea.
While finalising its proposals for a reformed Common Fisheries Policy, the Commissioner is also reflecting on how to eliminate discards. Last March, the Member States and the European Parliament had exchanged views on this issue at a High-Level Conference 
. It is now the stakeholders' turn, and Commissioner Damanaki is ready to listen to their opinion.
Speech by Commissioner Maria Damanaki "Opening the dialogue for eliminating discards "
Read more and comment on my blog: A Dialogue for Ending Discards
With the upcoming reform, the Commission has the chance to provide a new legal framework, removing all compulsory discarding and establishing clear objectives and time limits for a gradual phasing out of unwanted catches. The fishing industry, on the other hand, can contribute by devising ways to simply not catch the fish they don't want - the golden rule being that all fish that is not going to be sold or that is over the limits should remain in the water, alive.
Two initiatives recently taken by European fishermen to reduce discards are going to be presented at the conference, after a short opening speech by the Commissioner. A debate will follow. Fishing industry representatives, scientists, researchers, environmental organisations, NGOs and the press are invited to contribute. The meeting starts at 14h30 at the Commission's Conference Centre Albert Borshette, Brussels.
