During the past two weeks, both the European Parliament and Council have made progress with the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) subsidy package, and expect to conclude a deal late this year. The EMFF will provide €6.5 billion of aid, from the public purse, to the industry and Member States for 2014-2020. However, there are serious concerns over the way politicians envisage how these funds should be spent.
While in Latvia, FISH and Race for the Baltic among others took part in in a river clean up as well as participated at the Positivus music festival where staff from FISH and CCB, core NGOs behind Race for the Baltic, had the opportunity to talk to Toomas Hendrik Ilve President of Estonia about the campaign.
The Fisheries Secretariat and Race for the Baltic visited The Fisheries Information Centre in Pärnu, Estonia. The visit involved learning more about the fishery sector in Estonia, main fish caught and the role of the Fisheries Information Centre.
At today’s vote on compromise amendments to the Cadec (EPP, FR) report on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in the Fisheries Committee, MEPs took the short-sighted decision to fund new vessels and engine modernisation by 12 votes to 11. A plenary vote in the European Parliament will take place later in the year.
FISH and Race for the Baltic continued the road around the Baltic Sea, with stops in Åland and Finland. The days involved collecting over 2,000 signatures and learning about what local NGOs are working with in connection to the Baltic Sea as well as visiting the HELCOM Secretatiat.
At the latest Executive Committee meeting of the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council (BS RAC), stakeholders endorsed much of the advice provided by ICES for this year and elected to continue down the path of fishing at or below Fmsy, with but a few exceptions.
FISH, CCB and Race for Baltic visited BERAS Headquarters in Järna, Sweden to learn about different projects they are involved in throughout the Baltic Sea Region. Local politicians, farmers, and companies such as Salta Kvarn, a Swedish organic food company, also showed their support for the campaign during the study visit.
The Fisheries Secretariat and Race for the Baltic visited Kolmården in collaboration with SAMBAH project and Marine World. The two day visit involved collecting over 1,000 signatures and learning about what Kolmården is working with in connection to the Baltic Sea.
FISH and Race for the Baltic meets inspiring citizens of Kalmar municipality- where local citizens are involved in increasing the sustainability of surrounding wetlands, as well as educating the community in different environmental processes and promoting cycling for a healthier Baltic Sea.
On 2 June, Samantha Fanshawe, head of the Marine Conservation Society in Great Britain, received the Rachel Carson Prize for her outstanding leadership of the organisation and long-term commitment to protect the marine environment.