Authorities in Spain, France and Portugal signed a joint declaration for the maintenance of fishery agreements in the framework of the Common Fishery Policy (CFP).

In the text, the three countries expressed their conviction that the external dimension of the CFP should preserve the future of the European Union (EU) fleet.

The signatories highlight the relevance of the European vessels operating in international fisheries and consider it essential to maintain the existing fishery agreements.

In addition, these countries intend to expand the working possibilities if the scientific research of fish stocks supports it.

They also support the inclusion of a reference to human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law in the partnership agreements.

Furthermore, Spain, Portugal and France insist that the EU executive should ensure the benefits of the financial assistance for the economy and the peoples of the partner countries, particularly in the fishery sector, EFE news agency reported.

With regard to Regional Fishery Management Organisations (RFMOs), the three member states argue that the EU should strengthen its influence in these institutions as guarantors of responsible fishing and controllers of the activity in international waters.

On Friday, the Commissioner for Fisheries of the EU, Maria Damanaki, claimed that a “greater transparency” should be promoted in future fishery agreements between Europe and other countries.

In her opinion, it is necessary to make a “radical change” in various aspects of fishery agreements and “to find ways of improving the quality and increase the added value.”

The main objective of the CFP is to “ensure that fish stocks in our seas are in good condition and are productive,” Damanaki highlighted.

Meanwhile, the head of the General Secretariat for Marine Affairs of Spain, Alicia Villauriz, stressed that the EU has the responsibility to act for the conservation of international fishery resources and its sustainable management.

The officer said that Spain “supports the idea that the fishing agreements concluded in the future should include a clear clause to ensure that the same resource is not exploited simultaneously by several different fleets.”

(FIS)

Source: FIS, May 17, 2011.