European Commission
Damanaki

Agreement on Common Fisheries Policy reform

30/05/2013

The Commission together with the Parliament and Council as co-legislators, have reached an agreement on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy during the final trilogue meeting on Wednesday night.
 
On this occasion, a press conference has been held by Commissioner Damanaki together with Irish Minister Simon Coveney, MEPs Ulrike Rodust (S&D, DE) and Gabriel Mato Adrover (EPP, ES). 

Fishing opportunities for 2014: further phase out of overfishing

30/05/2013

The latest figures on the fish stocks in EU waters indicate that the European Commission's efforts to phase out overfishing have paid off. In a consultation document adopted today the European Commission reports on the state of European fish stocks and sets out its intentions for proposing fishing opportunities for 2014.

Commissioner Damanaki stated that: “These figures show that responsible fisheries management measures can and do work. Still, we need to strengthen our efforts to end overfishing by the target date we have agreed. We need to complete the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in order to achieve that.”

Commissioner Damanaki receives Greenpeace 'paper boats' in support of CFP reform

28/05/2013

Greenpeace presented to Ambassador Tom Hanney representative of the Irish Presidency, Ms. Rodust and Commissioner Damanaki the paper boats that have been signed (and are still being signed) by people and fishermen in support of a CFP reform that supports low-impact fishing. Those paper boats were collected during a ship tour Greenpeace has started in March. The ship visited Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, is now in France and will end its voyage in the UK. Commissioner Damanaki visited the ship when it was in Paros and signed a paper boat.

Over 100,000 people offline and online (https://myboat.gp/en/) have now signed a paper boat and would like to hand those paper boats over to symbolise the level of support from the public and low-impact fishermen, effectively as a last push during the final stages of political negotiations.

Joint Statement by HR/VP Ashton and Commissioner Damanaki regarding Arctic Council decision on EU's observer status

15/05/2013

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EU Commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries, Maria Damanaki made today the following statement:

"The EU welcomes the Arctic Council's decision on the EU's application for permanent observership.

The EU considers the Arctic Council a primary international forum for Arctic cooperation and looks forward to stepping up its engagement with the Arctic partners in tackling the challenges faced by this region of increasing importance.

Further to previous exchanges with the Canadian authorities the EU will now work expeditiously with them to address the outstanding issue of their concern."

Commissioner Damanaki meets Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization

07/05/2013

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with Mr Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in Brussels.

Commissioner Damanaki meets with Kostis Moussouroulis, Greek Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs & the Aegean

02/05/2013

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with Kostis Moussouroulis, Greek Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, in Athens.

Bluefin tuna season 2013: reinforced recovery plan

27/05/2013

The main one-month fishing season of Bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic has just started yesterday.

The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable management of Bluefin tuna during the 2013 main fishing season in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic. The period 26 May to 24 June marks the season where large vessels, purse seiners, are allowed to fish for Bluefin tuna. 

The Bluefin tuna fishery is regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) where the EU and member states are members. ICCAT adopted a reinforced multi-annual recovery plan for Bluefin tuna at its last annual meeting in November 2012. The plan enhances the sustainable management of the stock and introduces a number of new control measures. 

Based on the experiences of previous years and given the particularities of this year's campaign, a strict control and inspection programme has been put in place. It involves a significant deployment of inspectors, patrol vessels and aircrafts coordinated by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the Member States concerned. The European Commission also monitors catches and analyses Vessel Monitoring System data (a satellite based control system) on a constant basis to ensure that all rules, and particularly the individual vessels' quotas, are fully respected. 

In close collaboration with the EFCA, Member States and other ICCAT Contracting Parties, all necessary measures are being taken to ensure full compliance with the new provisions and ultimately the success of the recovery plan and long term sustainability of the stock.

Commissioner Damanaki stated that: "I reassert our continuous commitment to full implementation of the recovery plan on Bluefin tuna and our engagement to implement new reinforced measures".

Commissioner Damanaki speaks about sustainable food choice at Gastronomy Days in Athens

26/05/2013

Commissioner Damanaki spoke at the event 'Gastronomy Days - Destination of Origin: Greece' in Athens on 26th May. The Commissioner raised the importance of taking into account sustainability when making our food choices, the need for correct labelling and the significant role gastronomy plays for the tourism industry. Also speaking at the event was Greek Minister for Tourism, Ms Olga Kefalogianni.

GFCM's improvements over fisheries management and conservation

21/05/2013

A series of ambitious measures have been adopted on May 17th by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). These encouraging measures aim at improving fisheries management and conservation in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

The EU and GFCM members have closely cooperated in order to undertake important steps to change the way GFCM works and to adopt a multiannual approach for fisheries management in the area.

This year's important development is the adoption of a multiannual management plan for the Adriatic as well as a set of management measures for the turbot. Moreover, following an EU proposal, GFCM has decided to carry on with its reform. It will propose to its members and to the FAO, by early 2014, a new structure and new governance of the organisation.

Commissioner Damanaki stated that: "Even if most of these decisions that were adopted by GFCM last week were initiated by the EU, it is clear that the important result we have achieved was possible due to the intense and close cooperation with all our partners. It is clear that we all share the same views on the decisions that need to be taken to address the state of resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and to ensure a level playing field”.

Herring fisheries: potential measures against the Faroe Islands

17/05/2013

The European Commission has today informed the Faroe Islands authorities of the possibility of introducing restricting measures against them on herring quotas issue. Quotas on Atlanto-Scandian herring are settled after both consultation and agreement of all partner countries fishing herring and associated species in the Atlantic and Northern seas.

Faroe Islands have decided to withdraw from the consultations for 2013 and to increase their fishing quota of that species, while other partners agreed on a reduction of herring fishing quotas.

Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: "I am concerned about the persistent unsustainable behaviour of the Faroe Islands. They are acting in full disrespect of the necessary science-based management measures. While the EU fishermen and all other coastal states' fishermen are taking a serious hit through a 26% reduction of their quotas of last year, the Faroes are increasing unilaterally their quota by 145%."

Fisheries Council: A step closer to the reform of Common Fisheries Policy

15/05/2013

This morning, Ministers adopted a revised mandate to facilitate the next stage of negotiations between the Irish Presidency and the European Parliament on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Commissioner Damanaki said:

"Council has made a good step forward and really tried to come closer to the EU parliament position in order to find a compromise. I think a deal is possible and I hope we can finalise a first reading agreement under the Irish Presidency. We need a fast deal and this can give the opportunity to the Commission to focus on issues relating to the implementation.

We need to solve the practicalities and at the same time we need to help our fishermen to adjust to the new situation, because this is a radical change for the way we fish. We have to give all possible support to our fisheries sector and our administrations. I think we have positive news this morning and I hope that in the coming weeks, we can work together with the Parliament and the Council to facilitate the procedure to come to a first reading deal."

Watch the Press Conference

Commissioner Damanaki meets Members of the European Parliament from European outermost regions

08/05/2013

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met today a group of Members of the European Parliament from European outermost regions: Mr Gabriel Mato, Mr Luis Paulo Alves, Mr Younous Omarjee, Ms Maria do Céu Patrao Neves, Mr Patrice Tirolien, Mr Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Mr Maurice Ponga.

Commissioner Damanaki said: "Outermost Regions deserve differential treatment. That is why the Commission's proposals for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy fully take into account Specificities of Outermost Regions. In addition, both the Fisheries Council and the European Parliament support the idea to cover a wide range of extra costs and I proposed to increase by 50% the funding for the future period to better cover additional costs. I am also in favour to the creation of an Advisory Council for outermost regions, as foreseen by the positions expressed by both the European Parliament and the Council on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy."

Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 13-14 May 2013

08/05/2013

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of May will take place in Brussels on 13th and 14th May 2013, under the presidency of Mr Simon Coveney, Irish Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Commissioner Maria Damanaki will represent the Commission for the Fisheries points on the agenda. A press conference will be held at the end of Tuesday's discussions. The public debates and the press conferences can be followed by video streaming.

European Commission unveils maritime strategy for the Atlantic

13/05/2013

The European Commission has today adopted an Action Plan to revitalise the marine and maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean Area. The Action Plan follows from the Atlantic Strategy the Commission adopted in 2011. It aims to show how the EU's Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward the "blue economy", which has the potential to provide 7 million jobs in Europe by 2020. At the same time, the environmental and ecological stability of the Atlantic Ocean must be preserved.  

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki,said: “The Atlantic plays an important role in Europe's history and identity.  Our Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic will explore its immense potential for the future sustainable development of Europe. Together with our six Atlantic Members States, we will exploit the common challenges and opportunities the Atlantic offers us, from issues like coastal tourism and fisheries to renewable energy, mineral seabed exploration and marine biotechnology." Watch Commissioner Damanaki's statement .

The Atlantic area is home to numerous maritime activities. This includes both traditional activities, such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and shipping, as well as emerging ones such as offshore renewables and marine biotech. Individually, the Atlantic Member States (Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) are doing a lot in each of these areas and some have adopted their own respective maritime strategies. The Action Plan now encourages the Member States to work together: to share information, costs, results and best practices, as well as generating ideas for further areas of cooperation.

All Aboard for the Reform of Common Fisheries Policy

13/05/2013

Commissioner Damanaki participated in the "All aboard!" action campaign calling for the reform of Common Fisheries Policy. Commenting on the ongoing negotiations and the Council taking place on 13th and 14th May, the Commissioner stated:

"Substantial progress has been made in the negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s proposal for a reformed common fisheries policy. The European Union is on the doorstep of a historical deal that would put fish stocks on the road to recovery, eliminate the wasteful practice of discarding and ensure that decisions are taken as close as possible to fishermen.

It is the responsibility of all institutions not to jeopardise a final deal because of disagreements over a few percentage points, one or two years, detailed technical rules or institutional power struggle. It is now time for both the European Parliament and the Council to make that extra final step towards each other that is necessary to come to a final agreement that will launch a new era of healthy fish stocks, viable fishing industries and more and better paid jobs for fishermen."

Commissioner Damanaki meets with Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

09/05/2013

Commissioner Maria Damanaki met with Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Athens.