European Commission
Damanaki

EU Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries

19/12/2012

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of December 2012 took place in Brussels on 18-19 December 2012, under the presidency of Mr Sofoklis Aletraris, Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. A press conference was held at the end of the discussions. The press conference can be followed by video streaming.

The Council discussed the fishing opportunities for 2013 for the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Black Sea.

Over two days and nights of negotiations, the Council reached a compromise on several important points.

Commissioner Damanaki said: "The Commission proposal was more ambitious but I think the outcome is satisfactory. It is a great achievement that we have better scientific advice for fish stocks. We moved from last year's situation, where we had 61,5% data poor stocks, to 15,6 % this year. It's a great change. An agreement was achieved to reach sustainable exploitation levels (Maximum Sustainable Yield, MSY) by 2015 for the great majority of the stocks on which we have scientific advice. Only for 4 stocks Maximum Sustainable Yield will be reached by 2017: this is to avoid discards. This is a good message for our fishermen and for our citizens. We can have healthy stocks, more jobs and more income for our coastal communities. It can be done.  If we have the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in place next year, this will improve the decision making process and the progress made in the European Parliament this week gives us good hope."

Ongoing negotiations for fisheries agreement protocol with Morocco

19/12/2012

The second round of negotiations between the EU and Morocco regarding the renewal of the protocol to the fisheries partnership agreemen,t ended on 20th December. It was agreed that the next round will take place on 15th and 16th January 2013 in Rabat, Morroco.

Commissioner Damanaki's statement on European Parliament Fisheries Committee vote on Common Fisheries Policy reform

18/12/2012

The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament voted today to support the key elements of the Commission's proposal for a new Common Fisheries Policy. Amendments endorsing legal obligations to end discards and to manage fish stocks above sustainable levels, as well as amendments that call for more regionalised decision-making were adopted by comfortable majorities. 

Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki stated: "The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament has voted for an ambitious reform of the CFP by endorsing the approach put forward by the Commission. I am especially pleased with the support of the Committee for a  policy that is based on exploiting fisheries resources sustainably based on the  Maximum Sustainable Yield from 2015, and that introduces a discard ban with clear dates to put an end to wasteful practices that we can no longer afford. These are great achievements of the rapporteur Ms Rodust and of the fisheries committee, and I would like to congratulate them for this success. I am looking forward to the next steps of the Parliament and the Council in early 2013 with a view to ensuring a swift adoption of the reform of the CFP."

Read more and comment on Maria Damanaki's blog "Good News from Parliament"

European Commission asks Italy to launch administrative enquiry to help it to control illegal driftnets

14/12/2012

As discussed with the Italian authorities, the Commission has made the first step towards the establishment of an Action Plan on fisheries control and monitoring, formally asking the Italian Government to launch an administrative enquiry.  This process is expected to result in an action plan next year, to ensure that effective control of  fishing activities will be guaranteed in the long term and on a permanent basis.

The enquiry is to cover the system of control and monitoring of fishing activities to help Italy overcome some of the irregularities on monitoring, control and inspection of its fishing activities under the Common Fisheries Policy identified in 2010 and 2011, also related to the existence and use of illegal driftnets.

Commissioner Damanaki meets with WWF Mediterranean

13/12/2012

Commissioner Damanaki met today with the non-governmental organisation WWF Mediterranean, to discuss fisheries in the Mediterranean. Amongst the topics discussed was the need to create a level-playing field in the Mediterranean and Marine Protected Areas.

Latest round of EU-Norway consultations on fisheries arrangements for 2013

07/12/2012

The latest round of consultations between the European Union and Norway on fisheries arrangements for 2013 ended in Bergen on 6 December. Whilst good progress was made on a range of issues, it was not possible to finalize the arrangements.

It was agreed that consultations would resume in mid January.

Commission proposes fishing opportunities for the Black Sea for 2013

03/12/2012

The European Commission has presented its proposal for fishing opportunities for fish stocks in the Black Sea for 2013. Only two Member states are concerned by the proposals: Bulgaria and Romania.

The Commission proposes to cut the EU quota for turbot by 15%, to 74 tonnes. For sprat, the Commission proposes to keep the EU quota unchanged, at 11,475 tonnes. The EU quota for turbot is divided evenly between Bulgaria and Romania. For sprat, Bulgaria and Romania's national quotas are set at 70 and 30 % of the total EU quota, respectively.

The proposal takes into consideration the advice by the Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) and will be discussed by EU member states ministers at the December Fisheries Council.

The Council of the European Union committed to Blue Growth

11/12/2012

The European Commission welcomes the backing of the EU's General Affairs Council on the EU Marine and Maritime Agenda for Growth and Jobs, which aims at developing the growth potential of Europe’s maritime economy. As highlighted in the Commission's Blue Growth initiative on opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth, today's Council Conclusions stress the potential of the Blue economy to contribute to Europe’s overall economic recovery equally from established sectors such as shipping and maritime and coastal tourism, growing areas such as offshore wind and to emerging sectors such as blue biotechnology and ocean renewables from waves and tides.

Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: “Through Blue Growth, we are showing the wealth that exists in the coastal and marine environment. If managed sustainably, Europe’s blue economy can provide us with further growth, competitiveness and job-creating opportunities. Today’s endorsement by Council is yet another important step in creating sustainable wealth and employment for the benefit of Europe’s citizens.”

Setting an agenda for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth from the Adriatic and Ionian Seas

06/12/2012

The High-level Conference "Setting an agenda for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth from the Adriatic and Ionian Seas" took place in Zagreb, to officially launch the maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Sea . Commissioner Maria Damanaki greeted the participants:

"Ladies and gentlemen,

The crisis has brought centre stage the burning question of how to increase growth, safeguard jobs and maintain welfare. The Adriatic and Ionian region can be a formidable engine for the economy, provided that we multiply cooperation between the countries in the region. This is how we face the recession: by working together. So we are here today to welcome the adoption of the European Commission's Communication on a maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. 

Commission launches new strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas

03/12/2012

The European Commission has adopted a maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas that will boost smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the region. The strategy rests on 4 pillars: a stronger blue economy, a healthier marine environment, a safer maritime space, and responsible fishing activities.

Commissioner Maria Damanaki comments: "Given the European perspective of Western Balkan countries, the movement of people, goods and services through the Adriatic and Ionian Seas is bound to increase. Preserving the marine habitats and ensuring the sustainable development of the region will be challenging – and it is a challenge that we need to prepare for. I look forward to the input of all interested parties on this and to developing together a detailed plan for future action".

Read more and comment on Maria Damanaki's blog

The maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas builds on the Commission's Blue Growth initiative and on the Limassol Declaration on a marine and maritime agenda for growth and jobs, recently adopted by EU Ministers. The vision behind the initiative: making the sea a central space of innovation, economic opportunities and prosperity for all the countries around it.

Commissioner Damanaki meets Mr Yiannis Machairidis, Governor of the Southern Aegean Region

11/12/2012

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with Mr Yiannis Machairidis, Governor of the Southern Aegean Region.

30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

10/12/2012

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea . At this occasion, Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: 

"The opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea thirty years ago was a turning point in ocean governance.

The European Union has ratified the Convention in 1998 and we strongly believe that it is an important factor for global stability, peace and ensuring sustainable development.

Commissioner Damanaki meets Juozas Imbrasas, Member of the European Parliament

10/12/2012

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with Mr Juozas Imbrasas, Member of the European Parliament and representatives of the Association of Fish Processors and Producers of Lithuania.

Commissioner Damanaki meets Mayors and Deputy Mayors of small Greek islands with MEP Stavrakakis

05/12/2012

Commissioner Damanaki met with Mayors and Deputy Mayors of small Greek islands at the European Parliament, with S&D MEP Georgios Stavrakakis. The Commissioner informed the Mayors for the opportunities offered under the Blue Growth initiative and discussed issues of interconnectivity between islands and mainland.

Commissioner Damanaki receives Christmas Carols by the Greek School of Brussels

06/12/2012

The children of the Greek School of Brussels paid a visit to Commissioner Damanaki at the European Commission headquarters, Berlaymont, to sing Κάλαντα (Greek Christmas Carols) and to collect money for charity. The money collected will be donated to the charity organisation 'The Smile of the Child' (Το Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού) which protects the fundamental rights of children in Greece, and Europe in general.