Brussels, 10/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Fisheries and maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg will visit Romania in 11-12 October, before travelling to Bulgaria for a two-day visit. Dr Borg will be able to see for himself the considerable progress made by these two countries, which will join the EU on 1st January 2007, in integrating the acquis communautaire in relation to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and maritime transport.
On 11 October, Dr Borg will meet Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, European Affairs Minister Anca Boagiu, Agriculture Minister Gheorghe Flutur and Secretary of State for Transport Alexandros Galiatotos in Bucharest. In his meetings with these government members, Dr Borg will review the progress made by Romania in making the necessary adaptation in its maritime sector. He will also encourage Romania to play a full role in the public debate on drawing up a European Maritime Policy. The following day, he will visit the major Black Sea port of Constanta, then the National Institute for Maritime Research and Development (NIMRD), before meeting fishermen's representatives. Finally, Dr Borg will travel to Mangalia, where he will visit the shipyard.
Romania's merchant fleet is made up of around 220 vessels and its fishing fleet has around 400 vessels. Due to environmental and economic problems, catches in wild fish have declined dramatically since the 1980s. Today, the average annual catch is only 17,000 tonnes, compared with 270,000 in the 80s. 60% of domestic fish consumption is supplied by aquaculture, whose annual production amounts to around 9,000 tonnes. The fishing fleet register is now complete and all vessels have been re-measured as part of the EU vessel re-measuring scheme. A satellite-based VMS system has been established, and discussions on a National Strategic Plan for the fishing sector are continuing with the Commission. (lc)