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Tag ‘Mediterranean’

A FATAL TASTE FOR BABY-FISH

Monday, March 19th, 2012
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Rating: 3.1/5 (8 votes cast)

When the EU forbade juveniles catches, back in 2006, we knew that it was a first step, but a long way was still ahead: sometimes, putting a rule in writing is not enough to have respected!

And, as a Greek, I know that the fatal taste that we developed for baby-fish in the Mediterranean will be hard to change: almost every taverna in my country continues to serve, at least occasionally, fried juveniles.

It is very much enshrined in our culture: I am a big fan of Andrea Camilleri, the well known Italian writer who created Montalbano, and I intend to write him a letter to pay tribute to his work, but also to ask him to stop having the protagonist of his novels eating small squids: that is unethical!

Moreover, if fishermen let the fish grow, they can catch it the year after, bigger and more valuable: fishing for juveniles is economically irrational. Read the full entry

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LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES

Thursday, December 1st, 2011
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Rating: 3.7/5 (3 votes cast)

The small-scale fisheries fleet in Fournoi, in the Nineties

When, not a long time ago, I met representatives of small-scale fishermen, the president of Glaros (seagull, in Greek), the association of small-scale fishermen form the island of Fournoi, handed me a picture of what once was a significant small-scale fleet based on the island. The fleet was then scrapped –he affirms– following the adoption of the latest reform of the EU common fisheries policy, in the Nineties.

I believe that small-scale fishermen greatly contribute to the economic progress and the preservation of distinctive social and cultural characteristics of European coastal communities. Read the full entry

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BLUEFIN TUNA: A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY

Thursday, November 17th, 2011
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The news recently appeared in the media present the situation of bluefin tuna as appalling: we consume about 140% more tuna than what we are supposed to catch, vessels fish where they are forbidden to and by-catches are worrying.

Potential bluefin tuna spawning habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

Potential bluefin tuna spawning habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

Even if allegations have to be investigated and data verified, we must admit that much remains to be done to achieve sustainability and management and control measures for the protection of tuna and tuna-like species are not as effective as they should be.

As the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) holds its annual meeting in Istanbul, the European Union is tabling ambitious proposals for the conservation of Mediterranean swordfish, and tropical tunas and sharks, in line with science recommendations, and promoting mitigation measures against incidental catches of seabirds.

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MERMAIDS’ TEARS

Monday, April 11th, 2011
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Rating: 4.9/5 (7 votes cast)

I imagine that if a modern Ulysses came across mermaids today, they would sing their sorrow for the way men are treating their home, the sea, and weep; but would mermaids’ tears then melt back into the sea or crystallise in poisoning microscopic gems? Researchers seem to have answered this question: plastic does not bio-degrade, it only breaks down physically, and so persists in the environment for possibly hundreds of years; waste fragment over time into small pellets, called mermaids’ tears. Read the full entry

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PLASTIC MEDITERRANEAN

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
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As Commissioner in charge of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I fully support the petitions recently initiated by the Expédition MED, Change.org and Polygnosi concerning the continuous contamination of the Mediterranean Sea from plastic particles.

I understand the scale of the problem as well as the outrage of citizens at dirty beaches, at plastic bags found in deepwater Mediterranean canyons, at plastic particles ingested by marine mammals.

Preserving the Mediterranean Sea is not only a matter of environmental sustainability. It is also a matter of considerable economic and social implications.

The problem is really complex. It requires a combination of measures and a close cooperation at many levels (regional, national, European, international). Read the full entry

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VISITING TURKEY

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
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Turkey: the country where Asia meets Europe and East meets West. It is a land which can justifiably be proud of its huge contribution to world history and culture. If you have been fortunate enough to visit this fascinating country, you will know what I mean.

My visit to Turkey last week was a great opportunity. I wanted to reinforce our cooperation to further improve our results in the international for a in which we participate: the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the Black Sea Initiatives. But I also wanted something more. I wanted to encourage the public administration to participate actively in the elaboration of the European fisheries and maritime policies, irrespective of the negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the EU.

I am not underestimating the importance of that policy. On the contrary, I have been a supporter for decades. Read the full entry

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THE SEA, THE SEA

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
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The Mediterranean

It is the sea I know best. The meeting place of civilisations, a thrilling physical unit and above all a wonderful human unit. The Mediterranean.

In my capacity as EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I am now revisiting this beautiful region from a different angle, quite demanding and still rewarding: how to find ways to build a sustainable future for fishermen, their families and their communities.

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