Joe Borg tours British fishing communities

EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg yesterday ended his second mission outside Brussels, touring fishing communities in the UK, particularly Scotland, and discussing his plans for the next five years with top British policy makers.

A spokesman for Dr Borg said he underlined the role of stakeholders in improving the effectiveness of fisheries measures through involvement in their formulation and correct application.

Dr Borg praised the active role played by UK stakeholders in the creation of the North Sea Regional Advisory Council, set up last November in Edinburgh, which brings together fishermen, scientists and other interested parties to prepare recommendations on measures for the area they cover.

In London, Dr Borg met the general secretary of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Ephtimios Mitropoulos, to inform him of the setting up of a task force within the Commission to prepare a consultation paper on a possible maritime policy for the European Union.

He also met Ben Bradshaw, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dr Borg also visited the south-west of England, Wales and the north-east of Scotland.

"Fishing is very important to many UK coastal areas and this was the reason I wanted to go and see for myself the various fisheries involved and to hear at first hand the concerns of the industry," he told The Times.

"I also wanted to encourage UK fishermen to engage in dialogue with the Commission. We all want the same thing and that is sustainable fisheries. We need to work together on finding how best to balance the biological needs of fish stocks with the economic needs of the fisheries sector."

During his visit to the south-west of England, Dr Borg toured Brixham harbour and its fish market which are to receive EU funding for a major upgrade under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).

He sailed on HMS Mersey before meeting representatives of fishermen's organisations in Brixham.

In Wales, Dr Borg met representatives of the Cardigan Bay Fishermen's Association, whose fisheries management project has benefited from aid under the FIFG.

In the north-east of Scotland he visited Peterhead and Fraserburgh harbours and held meetings with stakeholders, accompanied by the Scottish Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross Finnie.