Press releases
Maritime affairs
A new strategy for growth and jobs in the Atlantic Ocean area
25/11/2011
On Monday 28 November, Commissioner Maria Damanaki will present the new maritime strategy for growth and jobs in the Atlantic Ocean area at the high-level Lisbon Atlantic Conference. The strategy, just adopted by the European Commission, identifies challenges and opportunities in the region and takes stock of existing initiatives that can support growth and job creation.
Commissioner Damanaki said: "Europe urgently needs new far-sighted strands of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in a new low-carbon 'blue economy'. Emerging maritime industries have every chance to become one of the pillars of Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs. The collaborative platform offered through our Integrated Maritime Policy can help make the Atlantic region internationally renowned for its maritime excellence."
Fisheries
Satellite data can help protect bluefin tuna
22/11/2011
A new model developed by scientists of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) allows the potential presence of bluefin tuna to be tracked through daily updated maps, helping to protect endangered stocks and fight illegal fishing.
European Commissioner Maria Damanaki, said "Responsible fisheries management decisions that ensure the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and the availability of fish for future generations worldwide rely on good science. New findings, like the JRC's new model, will help us greatly in our efforts to protect bluefin tuna and fight illegal fishing practices."
Read more and comment on Commissioner Damanaki's blog: "Bluefin tuna: a matter of responsibility"
Strengthening EU shark finning ban
21/11/2011
The European Commission proposed today to forbid, with no exemptions, the practice of 'shark finning' aboard fishing vessels in EU waters and by EU fishermen across the world's oceans.
Commissioner Damanaki said: "By closing the loophole in our legislation, we want to eradicate the horrendous practice of shark finning and protect sharks much better. Control will become easier and shark finning much more difficult to hide. I very much look forward to the Council and the European Parliament accepting our proposal, so that it becomes law as soon as possible".
Commissioner Damanaki welcomes outcome of 2011 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
21/11/2011
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) held its 22nd Regular Meeting in Istanbul from 11 to 19 of November 2011.
"Under the leadership of the European Union, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas adopted an impressive number of conservation measures", said Commissioner Damanaki. She added: "Upon proposals made by the EU, the management plans for Mediterranean Swordfish and for Tropical Tunas (Bigeye and Yellowfin) were agreed as well as a fishing ban for silky shark and mitigation measures against incidental catches of seabirds."
Read more and comment on Commissioner Damanaki's blog: "Bluefin tuna: a matter of responsibility"
European Parliament adopts Integrated Maritime Policy financing regulation by overwhelming majority
17/11/2011
The European Parliament has today approved by a very large majority a regulation which will support the financing of actions necessary to the further development and implementation of the integrated maritime policy. The regulation - which reflects a compromise between the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council - will provide EUR 40 million between 2011 and 2013 for projects creating linkages between the different economic activities related to the sea and preventing possible conflicts of interest. It will support the development of sea-basin strategies and cross-sectoral tools (such as maritime knowledge, surveillance and spatial planning) and support the protection of the marine environment and blue growth and jobs for European coastal communities.
Commissioner Damanaki has welcomed the European Parliament's overwhelming support for the IMP financing regulation, noting that the integrated maritime policy will now have the financial means to support concrete projects and deliver results
Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2012 for fish stocks under international agreements
10/11/2011
The European Commission today presented its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2012 for fish stocks managed together with third countries such as Norway or through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations across the world's oceans.
Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: "today's proposal concerns the stocks the EU manages with the other parties. In most cases, the negotiations with the third countries haven't been finalised. The Commission will do its utmost to reach the agreements that respect the scientific advice. I strongly hope that our partners and the international community will also show their commitment to sustainable fisheries."
UK House of Lords offers initial reflections on the reform of the common fisheries policy
07/11/2011
In a letter 
[343 KB] sent to Commissioner Damanaki on 3 November, the Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees of the UK House of Lords welcomes the clear intention of the Commission to pursue a fundamental reform of the common fisheries policy with the long term sustainability of fish stocks and the fishing industry at its heart.
Maritime affairs and fisheries
Consumers' choice matters: Maria Damanaki on Twitter on Wednesday 16 November
08/11/2011
I want a radical reform of the Common Fisheries Policy because I believe that sustainability should be at the heart of our policy. But how consumers will benefit from this reform? and how consumers can contribute to the success of the reform?
I will be on Twitter on Wednesday 16 November, from 14:00 to 15:00 CET to discuss with you. So, just tweet your question, mentioning my account @MariaDamanakiEU, or using the hashtag #sustainablefish. You can also send your questions in advance.
Consumers' choice matters: Maria Damanaki on Twitter
When?
Wednesday 16 November, from 14:00 to 15:00 CET
Where?
On Twitter: mention the account @MariaDamanakiEU or use the hashtag #sustainablefish
A shared commitment for a Waste Free Ocean
07/11/2011
On Tuesday 8 November, Belgian fishermen will be collecting marine litter in the Oostende harbor, as part of the event organized in the framework of the Waste Free Oceans initiative.
Commissioner Damanaki will take the opportunity to renew her commitment to support innovative solutions for the issue of marine litter and encourage this European initiative, which brings together industry, scientists and fishermen with the aim of reducing floating marine debris on Europe’s coastlines.
Waste Free Oceans event
When?
Tuesday 8 November, 10:00-14:00
Where?
Oostende harbor
Commissioner Maria Damanaki
Statement by Commissioner Maria Damanaki - The most important point is to preserve the European acquis we have achieved during the last decades
03/11/2011
Today, for the first time the option of a eurozone without Greece is at stake in a concrete scenario.
If we do not act now, it is the beginning of the end.
At this crucial and defining moment I have the duty as both a Greek citizen and a European Commissioner to call on all political forces to rethink all their positions. They should find a constitutional path drawn by consensus to ensure the participation of Greece in the euro area and the implementation of the October Council concusions.
Everything else is secondary.
The most important point is to preserve the European acquis we have achieved during the last decades.
Commissioner Damanaki at the Third EU-level conference on the European Year of Volunteering
03/11/2011
Commissioner Maria Damanaki and Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, took part today in the Third EU-level conference on the European Year of Volunteering, in Athens.
Commissioner Damanaki stated: "The 2011 volunteering year is about helping the people who are doing the real job. It's just facilitating things. It's just creating linkages between the volunteering organizations, the government, businesses, everybody. That is why I think that what we can do is simply give this positive message, that we are here to facilitate."
