Press releases/news articles

The Commission and the Advisory Councils discuss how to implement regionalisation in the new Common Fisheries Policy

On 23 November, the Commission organised a conference in La Coruña (Galicia, Spain) on European aquaculture, together with the Spanish and Galician governments. The aim was to gather suggestions from Member States, producers and stakeholders for the future "Strategic guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture".

The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament voted on 18 December 2012 to support the key elements of the Commission's proposal for a new Common Fisheries Policy. Amendments endorsing legal obligations to end discards and to manage fish stocks above sustainable levels, as well as amendments that call for more regionalised decision-making were adopted by comfortable majorities.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of December 2012 will take place in Brussels on 18 & 19 December 2012, under the presidency of Mr Sofoklis Aletraris, Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment.

The European Commission welcomes the backing of the EU's General Affairs Council on the EU Marine and Maritime Agenda for Growth and Jobs, which aims at developing the growth potential of Europe’s blue economy.

PISCES (Partnerships involving Stakeholders in the Celtic Sea Ecosystem) has produced a practical guide for implementing the ecosystem approach through marine policy,

The Commission is issuing new guidelines to improve understanding of how aquaculture can be carried out inside Natura 2000, the EU-wide network of protected natural areas.

The European Commission welcomes the agreement by the 9th plenary session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to stronger Conservation measures for tropical tuna, but regrets its temporary nature.

Under the leadership of the EU Delegation, the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) adopted a number of conservation and management measures at its 9th Annual session held in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 3-7 December 2012.

The European Commission has presented its proposal for fishing opportunities for fish stocks in the Black Sea for 2013.

The European Commission has adopted a maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas that will boost smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) invites applications for the position of Secretary.

The European Commission has launched a public call for suggestions to all interested stakeholders and parties for input and suggestions on the key research and investment priorities of the Atlantic coastal areas.

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) is holding its annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco, from 12 to 19 of November 2012. In this annual meeting the European Commission, which represents the EU, is hoping to build on the success of last year's negotiations which included decisions on multi-annual management measures for Mediterranean Swordfish and Tropical Tuna along with protection measures for silky shark and seabirds based on best available science.

The European Commission welcomes a number of positive measures to protect fish stocks decided by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Resources (CCAMLR), which has now concluded its annual meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

On 29 and 30 October, the European Commission and the European Parliament in cooperation with the French Secretariat General of the Sea are organising a conference in Brest on the maritime economy. The conference takes place in the context of the Atlantic Forum.

The European Commission is participating in the 4th International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) to highlight the strategic importance of ocean energy in the context of Blue Growth.

Ministers held a policy debate on the proposal for a regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. They mainly discussed whether additional measures were necessary to support fishing fleets. Some Member States indicated a wish to keep funding in place to compensate fishermen and shipowners who permanently or temporarily stop fishing activity, or else to finance the replacement of engines. Other Member States expressed their concern that these measures would lead to an increase in fishing capacity, putting a huge strain on fish stocks.

A European agenda for creating growth and jobs in the marine and maritime sectors was adopted by European Ministers for maritime policy and the European Commission, represented by President Jose Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Maria Damanaki at a conference in Limassol organised by the Cypriot Presidency.