NSCFG spokspersons attended the EU Parliament Fisheries Committee on 16 July 2007 to highlight concerns over the issue of closed areas, Natura 2000 and the bird directives and how they can effect the economic development of communities.
You find the Press Release here and the Presentations here; Harry Jensen and Pim Visser.

Report from the North Sea Inshore Fisheries Seminar, Glasgow, 23rd May 2007

Maritime Resourses and Fisheries group Work plan, Oct 06 

Terms of Reference for the Maritime Resourses and Fisheries Group of October 06

Marine Resourses Group

Secretariat

Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland

c/o Woodhill House, Westburn Road
UK-Aberdeen AB16 5GB

Tel: +44 12 24 665 341
Fax: +44 12 24 664 713

Adviser and contact person

Ms. Ann Bell, MBE
E-mail: ann.bell@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Chair
Cllr. Anders Fasth, Region Västra Götaland
E-mail: anders.fasth@kristdemokraterna.se

Vice-Chair
Cllr. Josie Simpson, Shetland Islands Council
E-mail:  josie.simpson@shetland.gov.uk

Cllr. Harry Jensen, Region Midtjylland
E-mail: harry.jensen@rr.rm.dk

Aims

The main aim of the Group is to improve the situation in fishing dependent areas around the North Sea seen in relation to people living there as well as to the fishing stocks and to the environment.

Activities

The Fisheries Group holds three meetings every year. Recently a number of thematic sub-groups where established which meet more frequently with the purpose to develop and prepare concrete projects, These sub-groups deal with 1) aqua-culture, 2) the situation and possibilities in fishing communities around the North Sea and 3) education.

Projects

New species identification

• in order to prevent the destruction of existing stock and with the hope to develop the possibility for fishermen to find alternatives to the traditional "products" - this could also improve the possibility on land for the processing industry

Support for VSEs

• the goal is to identify innovative methods of adding value to the products of the Very Small Enterprises, to marketing their products and any new added value line, to identify new markets and to develop business skills which will enable them to achieve the above.

Exchange of VSEs Community Groups

• exchange of groups and bodies involved in research and development in the aqua-culture industry, This could hopefully enable those VSEs and communities to share information, experience and good practice

Pilot Project

• to develop a transnational women's programme which could include training in various fields of importance (as the women are often facing the mast difficult situation in communities facing a decline in the fishing industry).