To reverse the dramatic decline of Mediterranean fisheries, Commissioner Vella commits to improve the state of the stocks and thus the economic prospects of the industry. At a global event in Brussels, he unveils a new strategy for the Mediterranean and launches a dialogue with Ministers from EU and non-EU countries.

Mediterranean fish stocks keep declining. To reverse the trend and to bring more and more stocks towards sustainable levels, the EU is launching a new political campaign to be announced for the first time at the exhibition.

The European Union participated in the first round of international negotiations on measures to prevent unregulated fisheries in the Arctic high seas took place between 19 and 21 April in Washington DC.

EU warns Kiribati, Sierra Leone and Trinidad & Tobago with yellow cards as they risk being uncooperative in the fight against illegal fishing. Sri Lanka reforms its fisheries system and is delisted.

On Tuesday 19 April, Commissioner Vella will stand before the European Parliament. Once a year, by virtue of the so called "Structured Dialogue", each European Commissioner is to meet with his or her corresponding Parliamentary Committee.

A new report is on-line (in French only)

Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and the Environment, welcomed the consensus reached by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a special report on climate change and oceans and the cryosphere (frozen bodies of water) during its 43rd session held in Nairobi between 11th and 13th April.