BRUSSELS, Sept 23 (Hina) - Participants in the Brussels preparatory meeting for the forthcoming ministerial conference on fisheries in the Mediterranean on Tuesday discussed the proclaiming of fishing zones by coastal countries,
demonstrating significant differences of opinion during the discussion.
BRUSSELS, Sept 23 (Hina) - Participants in the Brussels preparatory
meeting for the forthcoming ministerial conference on fisheries in
the Mediterranean on Tuesday discussed the proclaiming of fishing
zones by coastal countries, demonstrating significant differences
of opinion during the discussion. #L#
"The opinions are very divided. It is generally believed that the
Mediterranean should be protected, however, how to do it is not
clear," Croatia's representative at the Brussels event, Deputy
Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic, said this evening.
According to Simonovic, some countries, including Croatia, believe
that the only efficient model is the expansion of jurisdiction of
coastal countries and subsequent cooperation and harmonising of
protective measures.
Other countries believe that it is necessary to first draft a plan
for the joint management and only later encourage the expansion of
jurisdiction, he explained.
The expansion of protected fishing zones of Mediterranean
countries is one of the measures which the European Commission has
proposed in a draft ministerial declaration, to be adopted at the
Venice ministerial conference, in an effort to counter illegal and
irregular fishing activities.
The ministerial conference, due to be held on 25-26 November, is the
continuation of a process which started at conferences on Crete and
in Venice in 1994 and 1996. The process is aimed at setting up a
multilateral system of management of the fishing stock and its
sustainable use.
The discussion on protected fisheries will continue on Wednesday,
when the three-day meeting in Brussels ends.
(hina) ms