Press releases
Fisheries
European Commission working on release of Lithuanian vessel
30/09/2014
Following the detention of the Lithuanian fishing boat Juros Vilkas in a Russian port on 18 September, the European Commission continues its efforts to obtain the vessel's release.
In a letter, Commissioner Damanaki has reassured the Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture, Virginija Baltraitiene, of the support by the European Commission on releasing the vessel. Since the detention of the vessel, the Commission has worked closely with the Lithuanian authorities, the European Fisheries Control Agency, the European External Action Service and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission to decide on the appropriate next steps.
Contact has been taken with the Russian authorities to clarify the specific allegations they have made, the nature of any alleged infringements, and the circumstances around which the vessel was boarded, redirected to port, and detained.
"I am very concerned by the forced detention of the Lithuanian vessel by Russian border guards,” said Commissioner Damanaki. "We are coordinating closely with the Lithuanian authorities and are doing our best to get the vessel released as soon as possible."
Commissioner Damanaki to discuss Russian ban of EU fisheries products with governments
24/09/2014
At the initiative of Commissioner Damanaki, the impact of the Russian embargo on the European fisheries sector will be on the agenda of the next Council meeting of European ministers responsible for fisheries on 13 October in Luxemburg. Maria Damanaki has requested to bring this topic to the political level in order to take stock with EU ministers of the consequences and to discuss the support measures which the European fisheries sector urgently needs in the light of the Russian measures.
Meeting in NYC with CEOs of America's largest environmental groups
22/09/2014
Commissioner Damanaki met on September 22nd in New York with the Green Group, bringing together the CEOs of America's largest environmental groups. Together they discussed, among other topics, the challenges of sustainability across the oceans and Commissioner Damanaki had the opportunity to present the improvements and achievements of the newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy.
Fisheries: Commission cooperates with Portugal to enforce fisheries rules
18/09/2014
In its efforts to ensure that fisheries rules are respected across the EU, the European Commission has today adopted an action plan to help upgrade the Portuguese fisheries control system to European standards. This plan was prepared in partnership with the Portuguese authorities to ensure that Portugal complies fully with the requirements of the EU's 2009 Fisheries Control Regulation and the new Common Fisheries Policy to achieve sustainable fishing.
European vessels back in Moroccan waters
16/09/2014
After a break of more than 2.5 years, European fishing boats can again take up their fishing activities in Moroccan waters. A new four-year protocol of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) entered into force on 15 July, after which the Moroccan authorities have started to issue licences that allow European vessels to return to Moroccan waters.
Commissioner Damanaki welcomes protection of shark and ray species threatened by unsustainable trade
15/09/2014
Since 14 September 2014, eight shark and ray species have received extra protection from unsustainable trade. They have been listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and now have to be accompanied by export or import permits issued by EU countries when they enter or leave the EU market. The eight species - porbeagle, oceanic whitetip shark, scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead shark, smooth hammerhead shark and manta rays – were earmarked for protection in March 2013 and join three shark species - basking shark, great white shark, whale shark – already on the CITES list.
Russian trade ban: Commissioner Damanaki ready to support EU fisheries sector with financial help, quota flexibility
08/09/2014
In the light of Russia’s trade ban on certain fisheries products which hit the European fisheries sector this summer, Commissioner Damanaki has today reassured the Council and the European Parliament that the European Commission stands ready to support the European fisheries sector. In a letter addressed to Italian Minister Maurizio Martina and the Chair of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, Alain Cadec, Commissioner Damanaki outlined that the EU can provide financial support to the sector as well as the possibility of shifting unused fishing quotas to 2015.
Commission issues fleet capacity guidelines to support sustainable fishing in Europe
03/09/2014
The European Commission has strengthened its commitment to sustainable fishing by issuing a new set of guidelines to help Member States strike the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities. The guidelines recommend to Member States a set of standardised indicators (biological, economic and vessel-use indicators) to determine if the size of their fishing fleets are in line with the amount of fishing opportunities allocated to them.
Commissioner Damanaki said on this occasion: "Too many powerful boats chasing too few fish inevitably leads to overfishing and ever dwindling stocks. Balance is the key to sustainable stocks and today's guidelines show our commitment to helping Member States keep their fleets' capacity in line with the amount of fish they can catch."
Russian trade ban on fishery products: Commission in contact with EU governments; financial support possible for storage
02/09/2014
Following Russia’s announcement on 7 August to ban imports of certain fisheries products from the European Union, the European Commission is working closely with Member States authorities to gather evidence on the impact of the Russian trade measures in the fisheries sector and to outline the available support to the sectors affected by the ban. In 2013, the total export value of the banned EU fisheries products was close to EUR 144 million, which represents 2% of total value of the EU's fish and aquaculture annual product.
Maritime affairs
Discussing European Maritime Day 2015 with M. Yannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus
29/09/2014
Commissioner Damanaki has met today with M. Yannis Moralis, the Mayor of Piraeus, in the framework of her mission to Greece. Among other topics of mutual interest, the discussions focused on the joint organisation of the European Maritime Day (EMD) in the city of Piraeus in May 2015.
Officially created on 20 May 2008, the EMD is celebrated annually across Europe to raise the visibility of maritime sectors and support an integrated approach to maritime affairs. This event welcomes Europe's growing maritime community, with industry professionals from across the EU joining policymaker to discuss, debate and exchange best practises. Participants come from ports, shipping industries, clusters, environmental associations, trade unions, scientific and research institutions, education, and local, regional, national and European authorities, amongst others.
Better managing space at sea: Maritime Spatial Planning legislation enters into force today
17/09/2014
A new European Directive to support Member States in their coordination of various activities that compete for space at sea takes effect today. Since many activities at sea – from fishing grounds, aquaculture farms and marine protected areas to maritime infrastructure such as wind farms, cables and shipping lanes - run across national borders, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive will help Member States co-operate better, involve stakeholders in the process and avoid potential conflicts between the diverse uses of sea space.
Maritime affairs and fisheries
Meeting with Europa Nostra to discuss maritime, environmental and cultural heritage
05/09/2014
Commissioner Damanaki met in Athens with the representatives of Europa Nostra in Greece on September 4. The meeting was held in the company the President Mr. Costas Stamatopoulos and the Vice-President Mr. Yannis Michail of Elliniki Etairia as well as with Mr. Miltos Lazoglou, country planner on the Sustainable Aegean Programme.
Together they raised issues on the delineation of the coastline, the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning as well as on the strategy on Coastal and Maritime Tourism. They also discussed further the importance of safe and environmentally friendly aquaculture.
