The 1st ASEM Forum on Trade and Investment in Marine Fisheries took place in Yantai (China) in September 2008. Lively and fruitful discussions prompted the EC DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to host this second forum.

Setting the scene

Asia is an important fisheries partner. South East Asian countries are the 2nd most important providers of fish and fishery products to the EU. The EU itself is the largest importing market of fishery products in the world amounting to €16.4 billion in 2007.

These figures show that fish and fishery products have become a truly global sector in which Asia and Europe are major players as markets as well as processors and producers. The opportunity to meet on the margins of this event will provide additional scope for informal discussions with trade operators.

There is a need for broadening and improving channels of communication in various marine areas such as Illegal, Unreported and Uregulated fishing (IUU), sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures (SPS), aquaculture, and Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

The European Union (EU) has decided to work hand-in-hand with all willing members of the international community to prevent the depletion of fish stocks and preserve marine ecosystems while maintaining a common healthy trade flow.

Objectives

1. To discuss and identify, where possible, convergent positions on important areas of common interest in the fishery sector such as: (a) IUU fishing, in particular the policy undertaken by the European Union and the RFMOs; and (b) RFMOs, in particular challenges for tuna fisheries.
2. SPS measures, especially the delivery of high quality goods and sustainable trade as well as the specificities of the Asian market.
3. Aquaculture, especially to encourage sustainable development in this field.

Organisation:

• Host: DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
• Target group: high level officials involved in marine fisheries.
• Opening and closing sessions, and suggested dedicated sessions on the following topics:
  • IUU fishing (morning).
  • Tuna RFMOs (morning).
  • SPS measures (afternoon).
  • Aquaculture (afternoon).

Outputs:

1. Discussion and identification of way forward with ASEM partners on key areas of mutual interest.
2. Exploration of the scope for future dialogue on fishery issues.
3. Conclusions and a report will be provided to all participants by the European Commission.

Contacts

European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium

Louise Head
Email: louise.head@ec.europa.eu
Tel: +32 22 99 02 92

Melanie Lamaison Clavé
Email: melanie.lamaison-clavé@ext.ee.europa.eu
Tel: +32 22 96 55 43