Press Release

EMD 2016 will be held in Turku, Finland, on 18 and 19 May 2016. It is organised in cooperation with the City of Turku and the Finnish government in an old locomotive hall called Logomo. We are looking forward to welcome the more than 1000 participants registered to an exciting and interactive event focusing on the theme of "Investing in competitive blue growth - smart and sustainable solutions".

The High Representative and the European Commission set out an integrated response to the challenges of the Arctic.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission have today adopted a policy proposal that will guide the actions of the European Union in the Arctic region.

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.

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.

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.

The European Commission today adopted a report on the implementation of the EU’s shark finning Regulation.

Fisheries were high on the agenda of European Parliament's plenary session on 12 April in Strasbourg, with three Parliament reports on the table.

The international community has taken a first step in developing a legally-binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella is at the Council of the European Union in Luxembourg today, presenting the Commission's proposed Regulation on technical measures to EU fisheries ministers. A proposed Regulation on data collection in the fisheries sector is also on the agenda.

Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella is travelling to Algeria to discuss the need for a common strategy for the Mediterranean Sea.

The European Commission is investing over €7.5 million to boost innovation and create jobs in the marine and maritime sectors. The money is available under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and divided in calls for proposal focusing on the key areas where the European Union can have the biggest impact: skills, creativity and technology.

The sixth conference of the MSP stakeholder series, focussing on MSP Worldwide will be organised on 23-24 June 2016 by DG MARE in University of the Azores, Ponte Delgada, Azores.

The European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on a multi-annual plan for cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea at a trilogue meeting yesterday, following a European Commission proposal in 2014.

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, was at the Slovenian coast today, inaugurating landing facilities financed by the European Fisheries Fund. The visit also provided an opportunity to meet the Slovenian minister responsible for fisheries, Mr Dejan Židan, and to talk to representatives of the local fishing sector.

Commission delivers on Better Regulation agenda on fisheries. Why a new proposal? Three decades of stratified measures have led to a highly complex regulatory structure.

Today the European Commission, continuing to deliver on its commitment to Better Regulation, presented a proposal for new conservation measures for fisheries in European seas.

The European Commission today adopted an action plan to boost fisheries control in the Netherlands.