— The Director-General for External and EU Relations, Jesús Gamallo, defended the report’s objectives, such as the sustainability of the fisheries sector and the revitalisation of coastal communities

— Gamallo exchanged views with representatives of other Spanish, Italian and French regions, the European Commission, the fishing sector and environmental organisations

Brussels, June 20th 2023. The Director General of External Relations and the European Union, Jesús Gamallo, participated in Brussels in a meeting of stakeholders related to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on the future of the fisheries sector in the European Union, commissioned to the Xunta. Following the last meeting of the CoR’s Natural Resources Commission (NAT), Gamallo presented the first outlines of this opinion and exchanged views with regions linked to the fisheries sector, as well as with other public and private stakeholders.

The objectives of the opinion were presented to representatives of the European Commission, the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union, marine industry associations, environmental NGOs and various regions of Spain, Italy and France. With this document, the Xunta seeks to support the revitalisation of coastal communities through innovation and technology, to reinforce the contribution of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to environmental and fisheries objectives and to achieve an emission-neutral sector by 2050.

Jesús Gamallo assessed the consultation on the opinion positively and highlighted the plurality of voices present, as the aim “is to produce an opinion that takes into account the greatest number of actors”. “We are satisfied with the presence of other regions, organisations from the maritime industry and environmental organisations,” he added. He also highlighted the sustainable work of the sector and underlined that it contributes to the maintenance of the sea, its diversity and its commitment to climate neutrality.

Opinion on the future of the fisheries sector

For the CoR, the future of the Common Fisheries Policy on the ground must move towards sustainable and resilient coastal communities in the EU. Galicia is leading this reaction of regions and cities to the debate launched by the European Commission in February on the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to the ecological transition. Within this framework of action, the Regional Ministry of the Sea, through the Director General for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation, Antonio Basanta, who also attended the presentation of this opinion.

More about: Xunta de Galicia