Press releases
Fisheries
EU fisheries Ministers debate about regionalisation and transferable fishing concessions in the Common Fisheries Policy Reform
27/04/2012
The EU fisheries Council of Ministers debated today about regionalisation and transferable fishing concessions, two components of the proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, tabled by the Commission in July.
At the press conference at the end of the meeting, thanking the Danish Presidency for the very good cooperation and productive work, Commissioner Maria Damanaki made the following points: "We have made great progress on regionalisation: I'm very optimistic that we will achieve a workable system, not bureaucratic, that can strike the right balance between regionalisation, a new role for our industry and for our advisory bodies and ensuring a level playing field throughout Europe".
Commissioner Damanaki visits the Brussels International Seafood Expo
25/04/2012
Commissioner Maria Damanaki discussed the future Common Fisheries Policy with industry and NGOs representatives at the event "NetGains. How can EU funds support a sustainable seafood supply?", organised by the Alliance for CFP Reform at the Brussels International Seafood Expo.
Commissioner Damanaki said: "The future funding of the Common Fisheries Policy will be deployed to give a real boost towards environmental, social and economic sustainability for our coastal areas. Its measures will give the fisheries reform a real footing towards a healthy, profitable and strong sector that takes an interest in environmentally stable fish stocks and increased consumer demand for sustainable fish".
Commissioner Maria Damanaki meets Norwegian Minister for Fisheries, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen
24/04/2012
Today, Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with the Norwegian Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen. Following the meeting, Commissioner Damanaki stated:
"We expect from Iceland and the Faroe Islands to come back to the negotiating table in a responsible manner and to fully respect the sustainability of the mackerel stock.
Today's debate in the European Parliament on the trade instrument against unsustainably fishing countries marks an important step in its adoption process. If there is no agreement soon, this trade instrument will be put into effect. I conveyed the message that the EU and Norway have to fully cooperate on this.
Along with Norway, we are determined to seek those solutions that, in any case, will not put at risk the sustainability of the mackerel stock, for the benefit of fishermen and coastal communities."
Commissioner Damanaki in Rabat to launch the process of negotiations for a new EU-Morocco fisheries agreement protocol
20/04/2012
After her meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in Rabat, to discuss about the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement, Commissioner Maria Damanaki made the following statement:
"The European Commission considers Morocco to be a key partner, not only in the Mediterranean, but in general.
Commissioner Damanaki on fishing activities in Guinea Bissau
18/04/2012
Consequently to the military putsch in Guinea Bissau, Commissioner Damanaki stated: "I follow closely the worrying situation in Guinea Bissau after the military coup d'etat. Guinea Bissau is a country with which we have developed a long standing relationship in fisheries. As the situation evolves ,the Commission intends to advise Member states to refrain from any fishing activities in the Guinea Bissau exclusive economic zone as long as there is not a legitimate government in place."
The ecosystem-based approach: a revolution for fisheries management and a challenge for the Common Fisheries Policy
11/04/2012
Oceana organises the event "The implementation of the ecosystem-based approach - A revolution for fisheries management & A challenge for the Common Fisheries Policy 
", hosted by Guido Milana, Member of the European Parliament. The objective of the seminar is to exchange views on the changes in fisheries management that are necessary for truly implementing the ecosystem-based approach. While not able to attend personally the event, Commissioner Damanaki welcomed the initiative and wished to contribute to the discussion on this topical issue with some thoughts:
"The Commission's main policy objectives are to provide for the conservation on fish stocks with a view to ensuring their long-term sustainability and for the fishing sector dependent on these stocks. Within this objective it is also necessary to keep fisheries impacts within sustainable bounds, by including all knowledge we have about the interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems. Decisions taken in fisheries should also be consistent with and supportive of actions taken under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Habitats Directive...
Maritime affairs and fisheries
Commissioner Damanaki visits Riga
19/04/2012
Commissioner Maria Damanaki visited Latvia, where she met Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia, and Ms Laimdota Straujuma, Minister of Agriculture, in Riga.
Discussions focussed on the on-going reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the proposed new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The new fisheries policy will aim at preserving fish stocks at sustainable levels for the benefit of current and future generations by managing fisheries in a responsible, science-based way. Regionalisation of the policy making is an important aspect of the reform and Commissioner Damanaki put emphasis on finding solutions for the Baltic Sea during her visit. The Integrated Maritime Policy and its "blue growth" strategy in support of maritime sectors were also discussed. Commissioner Damanaki met fisheries and maritime stakeholders and visited a fish-processing company.
