European Commission - The Commissioners (2010-2014) - Maria Damanaki's blog 

I was pleased to meet today with the Management Committee and Secretariat of the Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean (RAC MED). We discussed the activity of the organisation as well the role it plays in providing advice on Mediterranean fisheries issues. This Council delivers advice on fisheries issues in the Mediterranean. It is composed of representatives of fishermen, NGOs and consumer organisations from our 8 European coastal states.

Like other regional councils, RAC MED’s advisory role is more than ever relevant in the framework of regionalisation of the reformed CFP. It will play a more important role in the implementation of the CFP in the Mediterranean as of its entry into force in 2014. MED RAC should assist and help its members, the national administrations as well as the Commission to fully address the issues contained in the reform.

It is important that RAC MED ensures that all interested stakeholders in the Mediterranean participate actively in future debates. Its composition has to represent all type of fisheries, large, medium and small-scale, as well as European citizens who have an interest to have access to good seafood and to preserve our fish stocks. Also, it has to represent all the Member states in a balanced way. These are keys to ensuring that RAC MED is successful in carrying out its mission.