For Immediate Release:
Media Advisory


Brussels, Belgium - 19 November 2012

Who?
European Parliament Plenary

When?
Debate on External Dimension of Common Fisheries Policy: Wednesday 21 November, 21h00-23h00

Vote on External Dimension of Common Fisheries Policy: Thursday 22 November

Where?
Strasbourg

What?

FISHERIES ISSUE COVERED BY WWF
• External dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy


CONTEXT & QUOTES FOR THE ISSUE FROM WWF
The European Parliament (EP) plenary will vote on the report of the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) (2011-2318(INI)). The report has been adopted by the EP PECH committee on 19 September 2012.

The impacts that the European fisheries fleet is having in waters outside the EU is substantial. The EU external fleet represents around 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. The European External fisheries policy in general already has and will have in the future a tremendous effect on world fisheries. The EU must champion smart and sustainable fisheries practices in its international and bilateral negotiations with third countries. An ambitious CFP reform, which external dimension policy is part of, can provide a secure future for fish and fishermen in Europe and third world countries.

The report adopted by the PECH committee provides the badly needed solutions to resolve some of the problems facing the CFP. By supporting this report in plenary, the European Parliament would not only support sustainable fisheries, but would send a clear signal that Europe is leading by example in world fisheries management.

Quote from Sarunas Zableckis, European Marine & Fisheries Policy Officer, WWF European Policy Office: “The EU is a major player in global fisheries. The impacts that its fleets are having in waters around the world are substantial, contributing to 85% of global fish stocks that are either fully or overexploited . WWF calls on the European Parliament to stop the bankrupting of our oceans and support the report adopted by the PECH Committee. This would lead to an ambitious EU fisheries reform and would make the policy more transparent and coherent, with better systems of governance in place.”

For further information or interview requests:

ALEXANDRA BENNETT, Communications Director, WWF European Policy Office abennett@wwf.eu +32 477 393 400

SARUNAS ZABLECKIS, European Marine & Fisheries Policy Officer, WWF European Policy Office: szableckis@wwf.eu +32 (0) 2 740 0936