Joe Borg meets French fishermen

EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg visited Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France at the invitation of the French Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs Dominique Bussereau.

After visiting the port and touring a fish processing plant, Dr Borg, accompanied by the minister and the mayor of Boulogne, Fréderic Cuvillier, met fishermen on board their vessels.

Dr Borg said Boulogne and the surrounding area was proof of the contribution the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) made to the local economy.

"The CFP ensures access to fisheries resources which are vital for the local fleet. It provides the necessary rules to secure the future of fisheries and facilitates the supply of fisheries products through common marketing rules," he said.

Stressing the need for the Commission and stakeholders to work together to achieve sustainable fisheries, Dr Borg said: "Dialogue is crucial to the success of 'blue Europe'. Both sides need to understand and take account of the concerns of and constraints faced by the other. The more fishermen are involved in the fisheries management process, the more they will want to see measures succeed. Regional advisory councils will allow for this.

"Better compliance will also be encouraged by the creation of the new Community Fisheries Control Agency. By developing a common culture of control and inspection throughout the Union, the agency will deliver the level playing field that stakeholders have long been calling for." Dr Borg is to chair a task force of commissioners with responsibility for sea-related policies in order to produce a consultation paper on a future maritime policy for the Union.