European Artisanal Fishermen’s Declaration presented to Commissioner Damanaki
Commissioner Maria Damanaki has met today with representatives of artisanal fishermen. The meeting followed the adoption of a common European Artisanal Fishermen’s Declaration last Sunday at the European Artisanal Fishermen Congress. The Declaration asks EU decision-makers to restore the health of our seas in Europe and the rest of the world, to bring the number of fishing vessels in line with available fish stocks, to end harmful subsidies and to grant the right to fish to those who fish sustainably.
Commissioner Damanaki welcomed the main points of the Declaration and emphasized the special socio-economic role artisanal fishermen play in the EU. She encouraged representatives of artisanal fishermen to have their voices heard in the decision-making process, in particular during the ongoing negotiations on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
