The participants at this meeting are Ministers of Fisheries and their representatives from the main fishing parties in the North Atlantic, namely the EU, Canada, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation.
The conference will this time focus on the most effective policies to stop discards, the practice of throwing unwanted fish back to sea. The participants will also discuss eco-labelling and methods to ensure traceability of fish products, as well as results and impressions of Rio+20.
Commissioner Damanaki said: "I am looking forward to exchange views with and learn from our partners' experiences on how best to stop discards. Eliminating this wasteful practice is at the heart of the proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy."
The North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers Conference was established in the mid-1990s with the objective of bringing together the Ministers of the North Atlantic (with the European Commissioner representing EU Member States) in an informal forum, allowing for a frank exchange of views on topical and current fisheries issues.
North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers to Discuss Discards
ICELAND - EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki is representing the European Union at the 17th North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers Conference, in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 2 to 4 July.
by Lucy Towers
