EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, has participated in a high-level seminar addressing the long-term issue of the depletion of fish stocks in the Mediterranean Sea.
Taking place on Feb. 9 and 10 in Catania, on the Italian island of Sicily, the seminar was organized by the Commission and the Mediterranean Advisory Council. It brought together government ministers, delegations and stakeholders from all eight Mediterranean EU member states.
Opening the seminar, Commissioner Vella stressed the leading role of the European Union.
“The EU must lead the way by example. We need to face up to our responsibilities now, as policy makers, fishermen, scientists and civil society. I want to ensure that we all contribute to solutions.”
The seminar was the starting point for the development of a new strategy for the Mediterranean. Once EU member states have agreed on strong alignment and committed themselves to cooperate within the EU, the plan is to bring neighboring countries on board within the international setting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean