May 29, 2012 – On Wednesday, 30 May, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, and her guest, Dr Jane Lubchenco, US Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, will participate in a European Parliament hearing on EU/US cooperation at the international level to promote sustainable fisheries management in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and other international fora.
A key area of joint action is the fight against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing where cooperation was enshrined in form of a joint statement signed by Commissioner Damanaki and Dr Lubchenco in the US in September last year. The event will also be an opportunity for Commissioner Damanaki to present her views on how sustainability can be achieved worldwide in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy reform. Dr Lubchenco will give her view in that respect and describe accomplishments by US policy. On 31 May, Commissioner Damanaki and Dr Lubchenco will discuss sustainable fisheries management and the international fight against illegal fishing with representatives of fisheries stakeholders and NGOs.
The hearing at the European Parliament (15h00- 16h00) is open to the press and will be webstreamed here. After the hearing, Ms Damanaki and Dr Lubchenco will be available for a short press point.