EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION IN CROATIA TO LOOK INTO FISHERIES RESTRICTED AREAS

European Parliament delegation in Croatia to look into fisheries restricted areas. The challenges of fisheries restricted areas was the focus of a Fisheries Committee delegation to Split and Hvar, in Croatia, from 19 to 21 June.

Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries met with authorities, representatives from the industry and fishers, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers to learn more from their experience of the fisheries restricted areas.

This fact-finding mission was based in Split, where MEPs had the opportunity to learn about the legal framework in place and enforcement of the fisheries restricted area. On the first day, MEPs met with representatives from the Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries, to collect information on the state of stocks in Jabuka/Pomo Pit and their recovery.

On the second day of the visit, MEPs met with a member of the Guild for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Agriculture from Split Dalmatia County, to learn more about the role of the fishers in restricting fisheries and how they have been coping with it. Then, MEPs travelled by boat to Hvar with two NGOs and representatives from the Public Institution Sea and Karst. MEPs also visited the protected landscape of the Pakleni Islands, a Natura 2000 site.

On the third and last day of the delegation visit, MEPs visited the University of Split and its Department of Marine Studies.

Pierre Karleskind, Chair of the Fisheries Committee and head of delegation said:

“At a time when the EU is legislating on the protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, this mission to Croatia is a great opportunity to see what is being done on the ground. Fisheries restricted areas such as the one of Jabuka Pomo Pit are potential examples to be replicated elsewhere in the EU, so I look forward to exchanging views with local stakeholders”.

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