Europêche has appointed its five-year policy advisor Daniel Voces de Onaíndi as managing director.
The appointment is part of the organisation’s effort to strengthening its office and activities in Brussels to help champion the fishing sector and ensure its contribution to Europe’s economy, social fabric and food supply chain is fully recognised by EU policy-makers.
Mr Voces declared: “The fishermen we represent have made huge efforts in recent years, not only to comply with and adapt to the new ambitious objectives set in the Common Fisheries Policy, but also to act proactively to safeguard stock levels and their own livelihood in the years to come.
“However, the sector is struggling to make itself heard among the multitude of heavily-funded environmental lobby groups in Brussels.”
Sustainability consensus
He added that he believed all parties are aiming to secure sustainable fisheries, accompanied by “rational and proportionate” legislation.
Europêche said it has renewed its drive to illustrate how sustainable and responsible commercial fishing can be.
Javier Garat, president of Europêche, said: “Europêche is here to support the excellent work done by our fishermen in this indispensable industry. Our fishermen deserve appreciation and recognition for the work they do in often challenging conditions to provide food for so many people, whilst also helping towards creating and maintaining a sustainable marine environment.
“We must not forget that our fishermen bring almost 5 million tonnes of seafood to our plates each year; in other words, 40 million of healthy meals a day or 14 billion meals a year.”
