Press statement by EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki, after the ICCAT annual meeting in Paris which closed on Saturday 27 November

Source: European Commission (EC) i, published on Monday, November 29 2010.

"This year's meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has produced results which represent a step in the right direction for sustainable management of bluefin tuna and other species. This is important not just for ICCAT waters and stocks, but for fisheries management globally, and for the EU as a whole.

ICCAT has agreed on a reduction of the catches of bluefin tuna for the next year. Moreover, the new allocation key agreed has allowed the EU to maintain its share in the fishery, which is good news for our fishermen and industry, and reflects the leading role the EU has played towards the recovery of this stock. This year, ICCAT has also emphasized the importance of control and compliance procedures, which are crucial to our long-term success. The EU will continue to work with those countries that are not fully compliant to ensure that they fulfil their obligations.

Our work does not end with this meeting, however. The EU will continue to work hard to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna, sharks and all the other sensitive stocks managed by ICCAT."

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is the fishery organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The EU is one of its 48 members.