The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has adopted its Multiannual Work Programme for 2015-2019 and the Annual Work Programme at the meeting of the Administrative Board held on 17 of October 2014.
The European Commission has proposed to ban imports of fisheries products from Sri Lanka. After four years of intense dialogue with Sri Lanka the country could not demonstrate that it sufficiently addressed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In contrast, the Commission confirmed that Belize, Fiji, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu, have successfully taken measures to tackle illegal fishing.
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.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of October 2014 will take place in Luxembourg on 13-14th October 2014.
The European Commission has taken an important step towards ending the micromanagement of EU fisheries through key changes to Advisory Councils to give them a stronger voice and more balanced representation in fisheries policy.
In order to increase predictability for fishermen and to ensure high, stable and sustainable catches, the European Commission has, 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.
Deep sea ecosystems and fish stocks are particularly vulnerable to human activities. In line with scientific advice, the Commission proposed an increase of total allowable catches (TACs) for 4 stocks in the North-East Atlantic, a decrease for 9 stocks, and a status quo for 5 stocks as compared to 2014.
The European Commission has welcomed the outcomes of the 36th Annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) held in Vigo, Spain from 22 to 26 September 2014.
The setting of Total Allowable Catch for NAFO fish stocks will take centre stage at the 36th Annual Meeting to be held in Vigo, Galicia from 22-26 September 2014.
On 26 September, the European Commission organises a seminar where scientists and experts will discuss the state of European fish stocks and the economics of fishing fleets around the EU.
Interested candidates are invited to send an application to the Commission by 15 December 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.
In the light of Russia’s trade ban on certain fisheries products which hit the European fisheries sector this summer, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, has today reassured the Council and the European Parliament that the European Commission stands ready to support the European fisheries sector.
Eight shark and ray species will be protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species as of 14th September 2014.
The European Commission welcomes the announcement that European fishing boats are now able to start operating in Moroccan waters following the issuing of fishing licences by the Moroccan authorities. The announcement was made during the first Joint Committee meeting of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) held in Rabat on the 4th and 5th September.
For the first time under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission today tabled its proposal on fishing opportunities for the main commercial fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2015.
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.
The European Commission has today 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.
