EU

MARINE FISHERIES AGENCY News Release (03/07) issued by The Government News Network on 21 March 2007 -- Four Fishery Protection ships from three European member states arrived in Chatham today (March 21st) after joint operations at sea which began on Monday March 19th.

For the joint operations Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Tyne was joined by Protection Vessel Barend Biesheubel from Holland. They were in the North Sea and the eastern English Channel.

Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel HMS Severn was partnered by French protection vessel P.A.M Themis for a joint operation in the eastern English Channel.

The ships were coordinated by the Marine Fisheries Agency Operations London HQ which uses satellite tracking to monitor the position of European fishing boats every two hours.

The Fishery Protection Vessels swapped fisheries officers and observers. However, hampered by bad weather, only one boarding was carried out to check logbook, catches and fishing gear.

Berthing at Chatham will be followed by a conference organised by the UK's Marine Fisheries Agency in conjunction with the Community Fisheries Control Agency, attended by the European Commission and 50 delegates from nine member states.

Marine Fisheries Agency operations director David Holliday said:

PRNewswire -- June 14 -- The Head of the European Commission's Maritime Policy Task Force, John Burke Richardson, is visiting Washington June 14-16. His visit comes in the wake of the European Commission adopting a proposal which seeks to integrate Europe's maritime policy in a way that improves competitiveness, encourages growth and boosts employment while protecting the marine environment. The so- called Green Paper (Towards A Future Maritime Policy For The Union: A European Vision For The Oceans And Seas) was adopted by the European Commission on June 7, 2006, opening a consultation period that will last until the end of June 2007. It recognizes the gains that can be derived by a combined approach to the different areas of maritime policy from transport and shipping to trade and tourism.

Mr. Richardson will use his visit to Washington to seek better coordination with the United States. He will meet with Rear Admiral Joseph Nimmich, Assistant Commandant for Policy & Planning, U.S. Coast Guard, and Dr. William Brennan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He will discuss several issues related to the sustainable exploitation of marine resources, and the benefits that an integrated management of these areas can produce.

Source: Delegation of the European Commission to the U.S.