The LongDistance Advisory Council leads the debate on how the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy’s focus on international fisheries can benefit global governance and fight against IUU fishing, transparency in fisheries agreementsand social, economic and environmental sustainability
International Conference
CFP: The External Dimension as a driver for change
Wednesday 16th– Thursday 17th September 2015
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
The LongDistance Advisory Council leads the debate on how the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy’s focus on international fisheries can benefit
global governance and fight against IUU fishing, transparency in fisheries agreementsand social, economic and environmental sustainability
“As fishers, it is in all of our interests to see the sea managed sustainably by our counterparts overseas. The European industry is happy to have the chance to talk about positive changes we can contribute towards in long-distance fisheries which help provide our livelihood” – Michel Goujon, Orthongel (Organisation des producteurs de thon tropical congélé et surgélé).
Twitter: @LDAC_EU / Hashtag: #CFPED
The Long-Distance Advisory Council (LDAC) is set to hold a lively two-day workshop(16th – 17th September, 2015)focusing on the ‘external dimension’ (ED) of the reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Delegates will examine the role that this policy can play in promoting sustainable fisheries development particularly in African countries. The conferencewill be held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: an emblematic commercial port for the Atlantic region’s maritime activities anda gateway for fish imports into the EU market.
Fishing sectorrepresentatives from across the EU, Africaand long-distance fisheries worldwide are expected to meet for a range of discussions withcooperation agencies, NGOs, trade unions,scientists, control authorities and high-level national and international policy makers.
Free registrationfor all delegates, the event will offer in-depth panel discussion and interactive workshop sessions, exploring how the CFP External Dimension can be a driver for positive change. Delegates will learn how they can contribute practically to implement the policy, through greater cross-sector collaboration and bottom-up involvement. Speakers from across the globe will provide real-life case studies of sustainable change.
Béatrice Gorez, from the NGO Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (Coalition Pour Des Accords De Pêche Equitables) commented: “This event will be a great opportunity to discuss how EU policies, - including fisheries and development cooperation-, can be made coherent, byproviding an enabling environment for sustainable fisheries development in Africa, rooted in transparency and the promotion of fishing communities participation.”
The Long Distance Advisory Council acts as the consensual voice of the European long-distance fleets and other groups of interest, advising the European Commission and Member States on questions related to external fisheries. Speaking in anticipation of the event, LDAC Executive Secretary, Alexandre Rodriguez,remarked:“Our mission, as unique EU advisory body, is tofacilitate dialogue and understanding between European and third countries fisheries stakeholders. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming our colleagues from Africa, and sharing some of our best-practice case studies and projects focused on that region to extract lessonsfor the future. Collaboration and joint efforts are essential to achieve a sustainable and responsible fishing.”
The event will begin with a welcome drinks reception on the evening of the 15th of September, followed by an intense day-and-a-half conference programme, plus additional events such as a visit to the port and control centre of Las Palmas on the 16th and a closing gala dinner on the 17th.
Find out more about the event, and registration, here:http://bit.ly/1GZvJ9x
ENDS
Notes to editors:
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- The Long-Distance Advisory Council (LDAC) was created in May 2007, in conformity with Council Decision 2004/585/CE which established a common framework for the ‘Regional Advisory Councils’. Now known as the ‘Advisory Councils’, these stakeholders bodies (composed of both fishing industry and other groups of interest representatives) work with policy-makers, scientists and civil society, to provide advice on particularly fishing areas or topics. The LDAC advises the European Commission on issues pertaining to EU agreements with third countries and relevant to agreements with Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) with which the EU is a signatory partner, or in whose waters the community fleet operates. To find out more, please visit: ldac.eu
- The ‘external dimension’ of the CFP: More than a quarter of the fish caught by European fishing boats are actually caught outside of EU waters. Around 8% of catches (2004-2006) are made under ‘fishing agreements’ with countries outside of the EU, while another 20% are taken on the high seas, mainly in regions under the care of the regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Discussion of the ‘external dimension’ of the CFP, also known as the ‘international dimension’, pertains to these activities, outside of EU waters.
- For a detailed breakdown, please see:
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/international/index_en.htm
