European Oceans Pact – objectives and assumptions

In line with the European Commission’s assumptions, presented by the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, the European Oceans Pact:

• Is to focus on ensuring good management and sustainable development of the ocean in all its aspects, on strengthening the sustainable blue economy and on expanding the marine knowledge framework.
• Is to show the importance of the ocean in the EU’s political agenda.
• Is to cover both internal and external policies and to provide a single, coherent reference system for all political activities related to oceans.

Fisheries and food security in the EU

In his speech, Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak pointed out the special importance of fisheries in ensuring food security of Europeans. He noted that fisheries were a way of life for an enormous number of people – fishermen, processors, coastal communities.

The Secretary of State stressed that fishermen should be at the centre of the new pact, and that the regulations of the pact, which would be created, should take into account the needs of fishermen and their activities – fisheries.

Cooperation and holistic approach

The meeting was also attended by the former Commissioners for Fisheries, who, on the basis of their own experience, recommended solutions based on cooperation. They paid particular attention to the need to establish a “roadmap” with specific and time-bound activities and to implement the currently functioning policies and regulations.

Representatives of regional organisations pointed to the need for a holistic approach, the need to implement and coordinate existing policies and avoid their overlapping. Of great importance, in their opinion, is that the Member States implement the existing regulations and – above all – eliminate unregulated illegal fishing.

Fisheries and sustainable management

The participants in the meeting, related to the sector, unanimously stressed the importance of fisheries in the context of sustainable management based on reliable scientific data.

According to the interlocutors, an important element of fisheries is the existence of local communities and the importance of fisheries products in ensuring food security.

It has been noted that proposing a number of incentives for the private sector and the use of innovation were necessary to ensure the meeting of the blue economy’s objectives. Key consideration should also be given to activities dedicated to the development of aquaculture, which is an important link in ensuring food security.

The meeting was also attended by the representatives of non-governmental organisations related to fisheries.