Brussels, 22/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - Aquaculture (first and foremost), reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP), sustainability and simplification: these are the main fisheries priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the EU, as set out in Brussels on Wednesday 21 January, for the European Parliament fisheries committee.
Czech Agriculture Minister Petr Gandaloviè pointed out that, as the Czech Republic is landlocked, it had developed aquaculture in particular (small scale freshwater fishing is practised). He said that aquaculture was the fishery of the future and the sector had to be part of the “blue revolution”. Production must remain sustainable, however, and there must be innovation and technological development Gandaloviè added. An exchange of views on this issue will take place at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in April, and will be informed by the European Commission communication on the matter scheduled for March. The Council is expected to be able to adopt conclusions on the development of aquaculture in June.
The second priority is CFP reform, with a fisheries ministers debate scheduled for April. The other topics on the Fisheries Council agenda are: - review of the regulation on control of fisheries activities (a Council debate is due in June); - the implementation of four long-term plans for
threatened stocks (northern hake, horse mackerel, anchovy and cod in the Celtic Sea); - new measures to reduce discards. (L.C./transl.rt)