The European Commission has approved a Communication on European development co-operation policy in fisheries and aquaculture. The Communication stresses the importance of this sector for many developing countries and describes how the EU can contribute to sustainable management and development of aquatic resources for the benefit of the poorest people in the developing countries in order to help alleviate their poverty. The adoption of the Communication ties in with the European Commission's commitment to improve consistency between development policy and other Community policies, such as fisheries and trade. In proposing the adoption of a number of guidelines for development, trade, society and environment in the context of fisheries, the Communication is making a contribution to this examination.
Fisheries is an essential sector for developing countries' societies.
In the developing countries, however, the poorest communities which depend on these activities are increasingly faced with the risk of a decline in the resources of the oceans, seas, lakes and watercourses. Overall, at world level, fishing activities have reached, not to say exceeded, the maximum viable level. If the necessary measures are not taken, and this trend is allowed to continue, the economic, social and ecological situation of some of the least developed countries could deteriorate further. In practical terms this means ensuring that these various policies contribute, or at least do not create any obstacles, to better living conditions for the poor communities who depend on fisheries and aquaculture. An overall document was needed to give a common view of what has to be done for fisheries and aquaculture in the development context.