Press releases
Maritime affairs
Roundtable with stakeholders of the wave energy sector
28/10/2014
Today, Commissioner Damanaki, together with Vice President Oettinger and MEP Bendtsen, met with representatives of companies developing wave energy technologies.
Commissioner Damanaki underlined their potential as one of the ocean energy sectors and the role they could play in helping the EU to achieve the renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, innovate and create new, high-quality jobs. She encouraged the participants to actively participate in the work of the Ocean Energy Forum that has been created as a meeting place for industry, the public sector and stakeholders to discuss how to overcome the barriers to the development of the ocean energy sector.
Meeting with the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association
16/10/2014
Commissioner met today in Piraeus with Mr Simantonis, President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, Mr Terzis Vice-President and Mr Korres, Special Advisor. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues concerning the European Shortsea Network and the importance of clustering in light of the upcoming European Maritime Day that will take place in Piraeus in May 2015.
Ocean Energy: Commissioner Damanaki discussed quickest pathway to blue growth with ministers and sector
01/10/2014
Commissioner Damanaki welcomed ministers and CEOs of leading ocean energy companies in Paris today 1st October for the first high-level meeting of the Ocean Energy Forum. This meeting heard the progress made by the working groups of the Ocean Energy Forum and assessed the issues to be tackled over the coming year.
In the framework of this meeting, Commissioner Damanaki stated: “While still a nascent sector, ocean energy has enormous potential. That’s why the European Commission created the Ocean Energy Forum as a meeting place for industry, the public sector and stakeholders to discuss how to overcome the barriers to the development of the ocean energy sector and help it on the path to full-scale commercialisation, while contributing to the renewable targets”.
The development of the emerging sector of Ocean Energy could help EU to achieve the renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, but it could also fuel economic growth through innovation and create new, high-quality jobs.
The European Commission established the Ocean Energy Forum in April this year to provide a forum that brings together policymakers, the ocean energy industry and stakeholders to discuss the common challenges and obstacles to the further development of the ocean energy sector. The Ocean Energy Forum is to result in a Strategic Roadmap for the sector by 2016.
Maritime affairs and fisheries
Commissioners Hahn and Damanaki welcome endorsement of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region by Europe's leaders
24/10/2014
The European Commission has welcomed the endorsement today by EU leaders of the new EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). Today's decision by the European Council gives the green light to the Strategy which was proposed by the European Commission last June.
Fisheries
Regional plans adopted as landing obligation nears
20/10/2014
The European Commission has today adopted a series of discard plans as it gears up for the introduction of an obligation to land all catches on 1 January 2015. Discarding, the practice of returning unwanted fish back into the sea, is banned by the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which stipulates that fishermen will instead have to land everything that they catch. The five discard plans adopted today contain some practical rules, as well as a limited number of exemptions, to help fishermen implement the new rules.
Russian fisheries embargo: Agreement to help Europe’s fishermen with quota flexibility
15/10/2014
In the light of the consequences of the Russian ban for EU fisheries products, EU ministers this week agreed unanimously to support Europe’s fishermen with flexibility in the use of their quotas. It was at Commissioner Damanaki’s initiative that this topic has been discussed with EU governments at this occasion in order to take action in these exceptional circumstances for Europe’s fishermen.
Illegal fisheries: green cards for five countries, but red card for Sri Lanka
14/10/2014
Commissioner Damanaki has announced during a Press conference the proposal tabled today by the European Commission, in its fight against illegal fishing activities worldwide, to ban imports of fisheries products from Sri Lanka to tackle the commercial benefits stemming from illegal fishing. The move comes after four years of intense dialogue with the country after which it could not demonstrate that it sufficiently addressed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In contrast, the Commission today confirmed that Belize, Fiji, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu, which had received warnings at the same time as Sri Lanka, have successfully taken measures to tackle illegal fishing. Consequently, the Commission proposes to lift the trade measures imposed in March this year against Belize.
Commissioner Damanaki said: "Our policy of resolute cooperation is yielding results. Five countries receive today our appreciation for getting serious on illegal fishing. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Sri Lanka. I hope that the message we are sending today will be a wake-up call for this country."
Outcome of the October Agrifish Council
13/10/2014
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of October 2014 took place in Luxembourg on 13th October 2014. It has been the occasion for Commissioner Damanaki to look back at the successful past years during which the new Common Fisheries Policy came into force, thanks to the good cooperation between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council.
EU Fisheries Ministers meet in Luxembourg today
13/10/2014
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of October 2014 will take place in Luxembourg on 13-14th October 2014. Follow live the public debates and the press conferences here.
Fisheries Partnership Agreement: EU-Mauritania negotiations suspended
10/10/2014
In a fourth round of talks on renewing the Protocol to the EU-Mauritania Fishing Partnership Agreement, the parties were unable to reach an agreement on a number of points, including finances. They therefore decided to suspend the discussions, held in Brussels on 9-10th October, to enable both parties to make the necessary internal consultations.
Based on the available surplus identified by the Joint Scientific Committee, and to ensure the sustainable exploitation of stocks, the EU is seeking to reduce the level of fishing opportunities for small pelagics, as well as the corresponding financial contributions that go along with them. This reduction is further justified by the level of small pelagic catches in the current Protocol.
The EU has expressed its willingness to continue the dialogue with Mauritania in order to reach a mutually satisfactory compromise and forge a long-lasting partnership. To this end, and given the new strategic direction of Mauritania, the EU is ready to substantially increase its financial support to the Mauritanian fisheries sector.
Changes to Advisory Councils a step towards ending the micromanagement of EU fisheries
09/10/2014
The European Commission has today announced key changes to Advisory Councils to give them a stronger voice and more balanced representation in fisheries policy. The changes underline the new Common Fisheries Policy's (CFP) commitment to bringing decisions closer to the fishing grounds and putting an end to the micro-management of European fisheries from Brussels.
Multiannual fisheries management plan for the Baltic Sea: sustainability and regionalisation prioritised
06/10/2014
In order to increase predictability for fishermen and to ensure high, stable and sustainable catches, the European Commission has today, for the first time under the new Common Fisheries Policy, proposed a multiannual fisheries management plan for the Baltic Sea that applies to cod, herring and sprat stocks. It is the first real mixed fisheries management plan and replaces the management plan in place for the two Baltic cod stocks.
Exchange of views with Oceana Europe
03/10/2014
Commissioner Damanaki received the European representatives of the international organisation Oceana. Together they exchanged views on a number of topics, including discussions on illegal fishing, the use of driftnets as well as the annual meeting of ICCAT.
Commission proposes moderate decrease in deep-sea fishing opportunities 2015-2016 to protect vulnerable species
03/10/2014
The European Commission has today proposed fishing opportunities for deep-sea fish stocks in EU and international waters in the North-East Atlantic for 2015-2016. In line with scientific advice, the Commission proposes an increase of total allowable catches (TACs) for 4 stocks, a decrease for 9 stocks, and a status quo for 5 stocks as compared to 2014. For 4 stocks, mainly deep-sea sharks, the proposal does not yet contain a figure, because scientific advice will be delivered later this month.
Trade deal with Ecuador to secure jobs in Europe’s fish processing industry
01/10/2014
In July this year, the EU and Ecuador concluded negotiations for a trade and development agreement, which was also discussed at today’s meeting of the College of Commissioners.
The deal will allow Ecuador to benefit from continued access to the EU for its main exports, particularly fish products which will enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market. This agreement will help us to secure jobs in Europe’s fish processing industry and will also benefit European consumers.
In 2013, Ecuador exported fisheries and aquaculture products to the EU worth more than 1 billion euros.
