A High level Conference on the management of fishing capacity will be held in Thessaloniki by the European Commission with the participation of Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) under the auspices of the Greek presidency.

The Presidency supports this meeting as a contribution to the sustainable fisheries, main objective of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The sustainable fishing is the prerequisite for a better future for the sector.

The Conference will be held against the backdrop of the new external dimension of the reformed CFP which strengthens the EU’s commitment towards sustainable fisheries management and aims at addressing overcapacity at the global level. One of the outcomes of this event would be a joint statement on capacity management that like-minded countries could co-sign. Member states will have the opportunity to discuss the draft joint statement in the appropriate Council formation.

The conference will be attended by high level representatives from third country governments, regional fisheries management organizations, EU member states, as well as member of the E. Parliament and stakeholders.