Commissioner Karmenu Vella is in Burgas, Bulgaria welcoming more than 1000 participants from the maritime sector for the 2018 edition of the European Maritime Day. For the first time since its conception, the European Maritime Day takes place in the Black Sea region.

Marine pollution is one of the key topics of the Our Ocean Conference. Every year millions of tons of litter end up in the ocean. It is estimated that by 2050 our seas could contain more plastic than fish. Aquaria are ideal partners to showcase this growing problem and to engage thousands of people, by presenting practical solutions.

The Resumed Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UNFSA) finished last Friday after one week of intensive negotiations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 23rd to 27th May.

The objective is to create and maintain an operational service providing free and open access to digital maps of the seabed topography and coastline of European seas at the highest resolution possible and to the survey data underlying them.

The event will highlight the progress made over the last years and further actions needed in developing a sustainable aquaculture sector in the EU.

Implementation of the Second Cycle of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive: achieving coherent, coordinated and consistent updates of the determinations of Good Environmental Status, initial assessments and environmental targets.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is looking for an ICT Manager for its secretariat in Micronesia. Deadline for applications: 29 February 2016.

The Netherlands have taken over the rotating six-month EU Presidency as from 1 January 2016. For fisheries, the new Presidency has announced its aim to achieve more "in-depth sustainability" as agreed in the framework of the EU's reformed Common Fisheries Policy.