Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Fisheries remain a strategic pillar of the European Union’s food security and sustainability agenda, Cyprus Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Monday during an agriculture and fisheries council meeting in Luxembourg. She said ministers had also begun discussing the future of the common fisheries policy and preparations for next year’s fishing opportunities.
Council discussion in Luxembourg
Addressing ministers from across the bloc, Panayiotou said the council was sending the message that agriculture and fisheries remain strategic pillars for the food security and sustainability of the European Union.
She commended the government for its efforts to bolster the fisheries sector and said Cyprus had promoted amendments to regulations governing fishing opportunities during its six-month presidency. She also said Cyprus had advanced international agreements aimed at strengthening the EU’s role in ocean governance.
Common fisheries policy review
Panayiotou said discussions had started on the future of the common fisheries policy, including preparations for fishing opportunities in the next year and how the framework should adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions.
The debate comes as the commission reviews the effectiveness of the common fisheries policy and considers potential reforms in response to climate pressures and depleting fish stocks.
Commission findings
European fisheries commissioner Costas Kadis told ministers that the evaluation had identified both progress and shortcomings since the last major reform of the policy.
He said the review showed that more fish stocks are now being fished at sustainable levels. At the same time, he said, the evaluation had highlighted weaknesses that would need to be addressed as member states shape the next phase of European fisheries management.
Kadis said ministers would begin discussions on fishing opportunities for the coming period while examining the challenges facing the sector across the EU.