International Conference
CFP: The External Dimension as a driver for change
16th-17th September 2015
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Long Distance Advisory Council leads the debate on how the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy’s focus on international fisheries can benefit
global governance, transparency in African fisheries and social, economic and environmental sustainability.
“As fishers, it is in all of our interests to see the sea managed sustainably by our counterparts overseas. The European industry is happy to have the chance to talk about positive changes we can contribute towards in long-distance fisheries which help provide our livelihood” – Michel Goujon, Orthongel (Organisation des producteurs de thon tropical congélé et surgélé).
Twitter: @LDAC_EU / Hashtag: #CFPED
The Long-Distance Advisory Council (LDAC) is set to hold a lively two-day workshop (16th – 17th September, 2015) focusing on the ‘external dimension’ (ED) of the reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Delegates will examine the role that this policy can play in promoting sustainable fisheries development in African countries . The conference will be held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: an emblematic port for the region’s fleet activity and a gateway for fish imports into the EU market.
Fishing sector representatives from across the EU, Africa and long-distance fisheries worldwide are expected to meet for a range of discussions with cooperation agencies, NGOs, trade unions, and high-level national and international policy makers.
With free registration for all delegates, the event will offer in-depth panel discussion and interactive workshop sessions, exploring how the CFP External Dimension can be a driver for positive change. Delegates will learn how they can contribute practically to implement the policy, through greater cross-sector collaboration and bottom-up involvement. Speakers from across the globe will bring concepts to life with real-life case studies of sustainable change.
Béatrice Gorez, from the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (Coalition Pour Des Accords De Pêche Equitables) commented: “This event will be a great opportunity to discuss how EU policies - including fisheries and development cooperation - can be made coherent, by providing an enabling environment for sustainable fisheries development in Africa, rooted in transparency and the promotion of fishing communities participation.”
The Long Distance Advisory Council is a unique fisheries stakeholders’ body which act as the consensual voice of the European long-distance fleets and other groups of interest, advising the European Commission and Member States on questions related to external fisheries. Speaking in anticipation of the event, LDAC Executive Secretary, Alexandre Rodriguez, remarked: “We are particularly looking forward to welcoming guests and colleagues from Africa, and sharing some of our best-practice case studies and projects focused on that region to extract lessons for the future.”
The event will begin with a drinks reception on the evening of the 15th of September, followed by an intense day-and-a-half conference programme, which will include a field trip to the port and control centre of Las Palmas on the 16th, and a gala dinner on the 17th.
Find out more about the event, and registration, HERE.