Brussels, 14/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - During his first visit to Italy 9-11 February as European Commissioner for fisheries, Joe Borg encouraged stakeholders to play their part in the adoption of the measures proposed by the Commission to protect fish stocks and reduce overfishing in the Mediterranean. “Catches had been declining over the past twenty years” in the Mediterranean and urgent action was needed to avoid the problems experienced with some of the most commercially important stocks in the North Sea and the Atlantic, Mr Borg said. The measures proposed by the Commission take account of the differences between fisheries, stocks and habitats. The Luxembourg presidency is planning an orientation debate at the Council in March on this issue and if possible on the adoption of these measures during the Council at the end of June (EUROPE 3 February 2005 on the priorities detailed by the presidency). The European Parliament could adopt its opinion in March following adoption of the report by Carmen Fraga Estevez (EPP-ED, Spain) on 22 February by the fisheries committee. Speaking in Italy Mr Borg welcomed the strengthening of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the creation of Medisamak which gathers Mediterranean fishermen's associations (EUROPE 18 May 2004). Commissioner Borg also said that he looked forward to the creation of the Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean. “Fishing plays an important role in the Mediterranean. We must therefore do our utmost to secure its future. We need, first, to ensure the adoption and application of measures to maintain sustainable fisheries in our waters and, second, dialogue with our partners around the Mediterranean to develop fisheries management measures for the whole region”, Commissioner Borg said to stakeholders at a meeting in Rome on Friday.