Commissioner Discusses Fisheries Issues in Latvia

Maria Damanaki visited Latvia, where she met Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia, and Ms Laimdota Straujuma, Minister of Agriculture, in Riga.

Discussions focussed on the on-going reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the proposed new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The new fisheries policy will aim at preserving fish stocks at sustainable levels for the benefit of current and future generations by managing fisheries in a responsible, science-based way. Regionalisation of the policy making is an important aspect of the reform and Commissioner Damanaki put emphasis on finding solutions for the Baltic Sea during her visit. The Integrated Maritime Policy and its "blue growth" strategy in support of maritime sectors were also discussed. Commissioner Damanaki met fisheries and maritime stakeholders and visited a fish-processing company.