EU/FISHERIES: Europêche appoints new Managing Director to help ensure a sustainable future for European fisheries

Brussels: Europêche1, the association of national organisations of fishing enterprises in the EU, has appointed Kathryn Stack as Managing Director in order to boost the organisation’s support of sustainable fishing and promote the voice of the industry in wider EU decision making.

In this Brussels based role, Ms. Stack will focus on propelling the industry’s voice into the heart of decision making in Brussels. She said “For too long, the sector has struggled to make itself heard among the throng of newly-emerging environmental groups. It is time that the balance of arguments and voice of reason is restored.”

“The fishing industry is not a faceless monolith, we rely on healthy ecosystems for abundant stocks. We want a sustainable fishery and a sustainable sector. Ultimately, we are all striving towards the same outcome: to ensure resource protection. What is important is that regulation is reasoned and proportionate, based on proven science, good environmental practices and provides for the long-term sustainability of the sector. The current image of the EU fishing industry does not represent the reality of our fishing operations.”

President of Europêche, Javier Garat, welcomed the new appointment stating: “I am delighted that Kathryn joined the Europêche team and look forward to working with her to face the opportunities and challenges ahead. The main thrust of the legislative procedure of the CFP reform is complete but we still have a long way to go to ensure we discuss with all three EU institutions to reach a balanced and rational outcome, one that is favourable to all concerned.”

With over 6 years of experience working on the Fisheries Committee in the European Parliament including the CFP reform package, Kathryn understands as well as anyone the complexities of the Brussels law-making process. Her appointment coincides with a new political backdrop for the parliament following the recent European elections. “Important pieces of legislation such as the new rules on discards will be coming up over the next few months and will bring certain difficulties but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to working with the Parliament, Council and Commission to achieve the right result for European fisheries” she added.

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Voces, policy advisor (Tel.+32 (0) 2 230 48 48 or daniel.voces@europeche.org)

1 Europêche represents the catching sector in Europe. Currently, the Association comprises 16 national organisations of fishing enterprises from the following 10 EU Member States: BE, DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, MT, NL, PL and UK.

Sources: Europêche

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Tags: europeche, sustainable fisheries, fishing