The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs meets the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament

The Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs met the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament 22 June 2010, where  the Norwegain Minister presented  Norwegian fisheries management and  expressed  the need for close cooperation between the EU and Norway.

In the discussion following her address, the MEPs focused in particular on issues concerning the management of mackerel, whaling, discards, control measures, subsidies, overcapacity in the fishing fleet and aquaculture.

One of the MEPs pointed out that the EU has discussed  a ban on discards ever since  Norway adopted  a discard ban in  1987. This member also indicated that, in the EU, the focus was on how difficult it is to implement such a ban and asked for advice from Norway.

“It’s a question of political will. It is essential to adopt a  discard ban in the EU, along with the appropriate technical measures, in order to achieve this goal”, responded the Minister.

“I am very pleased with  this opportunity to talk directly to the European Parliament. It was a productive dialogue, with exchanges of views on many key areas for Norway”, said the Minister.

Ms Berg-Hansen also took the opportunity to invite the Fisheries Committee to visit Norway.

  
Contact:
Director General Magnor Nerheim: 905 70 941
Director General Johán H. Williams: 900 24 446

 
Read the Minister's speech to the European Parliament.