PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

Transcription

1 Brussels, 4 May 2011 SUMMARY REPORT on the VISIT OF A DELEGATION of the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES to PORTUGAL (Mainland and Azores) April 2011 Report prepared by: Marilia Crespo PECH Committee Secretariat

2 Summary The Members of the EP Fisheries Committee Delegation: Visited the port of Peniche and met various stakeholders and key players in the fisheries sector of the region; Met the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Agriculture and a representative of the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of the Portuguese Parliament, the Mayor of Peniche and other representatives of the municipal authorities and a representative of the port management authority; Held a meeting with the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) of the University of Azores on the island of Faial (Horta) and were given interesting presentations on ongoing research projects; Met the President of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Azores and held a joint meeting with the Subcommittee on Economy and the Subcommittee on General Affairs of the Regional Legislative Assembly, in Horta (Faial Island); Visited the COFACO tuna canning factory on the Island of Pico; Met the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea at the Interpretative Centre of the Capelinhos Volcano (Faial Island) and were given interesting presentations on environmental aspects related to the archipelago; Made a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Ponta Delgada ( São Miguel Island); Met the management board of Lotaçor and a large delegation of fishers, vessel owners, representatives of women's associations, producers' organisations and a representative of the port authority (São Miguel Island); Made a courtesy visit to the Azorean Regional Secretary of the Presidency, in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island). Visits and meetings provided excellent opportunities for a direct dialogue with fishers and other industry representatives and with regional and local authorities, who expressed their concerns regarding the particularities of the situation of fisheries and fishing communities in Portugal (mainland and Azores), as well as their views on the forthcoming reform of the CFP. Members of the EP Committee on Fisheries participating in the delegation: Ms Carmen FRAGA ESTÉVEZ (EPP/ES), Chair and Head of Delegation (out of quota), Ms Maria do Céu PATRÃO NEVES (PT - EPP) (out of quota) - organizer of the delegation, Mr Mato ADROVER (ES - EPP), Mr Antonello ANTINORO (IT - EPP), Mr Kriton ARSENIS (EL - S&D), Ms Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (ES - ALDE) Mr Luís Manuel CAPOULAS SANTOS (PT- S&D) (out of quota), Mr João FERREIRA (PT - GUE), Ms Iliana MALINOVA IOTOVA (BG - S&D), Mr Jarosław Leszek WAŁĘSA (PL - EPP) Annexes: Programme and list of participants 2

3 PENICHE Introduction The municipality of Peniche has a total population of 28,656 inhabitants (2009) and an area of 77.4 km2. Peniche is located approximately 74km from Lisbon and 30km from Torres Vedras, the most populated town of the Oeste sub-region (NUTS III). It greatly benefits from its strategic geographic position by being located on a peninsula, with a perimeter of approximately 10 km. At the western end of the peninsula is Cape Carvoeiro, and further to the northwest of the peninsula into the Atlantic is the Berlengas archipelago. Peniche emerges as one of Portugal s most important Portuguese fishing ports whether measured in terms of volume and value of landings or in terms total numbers of fishers. It also has one of the highest levels of fisheries dependence of all coastal municipalities in Portugal. The fisheries sector is of paramount importance in the socio-economic profile of Peniche, since a series of economic activities (secondary and tertiary sectors) ranging from shipbuilding to processing, storage, marketing and distribution of fish - fresh, frozen or preserved - are based on the fishing industry. Visits and meetings held - Visit to the port of Peniche On 13 April, the first day of the delegation, Members visited the port of Peniche. The port lies in the southern part of the isthmus of the peninsula of Peniche, which provides excellent sheltering conditions from the stormy weather felt during the winter months. 3

4 Members were given an interesting presentation on the historical evolution and the current state of the port infrastructures (including a pier supply of ice, fuel and supplies, slipways, mooring berths, landing piers, repair quays, shipyards, an ice factory, a recreational marina, an auction hall, warehouses and nautical equipment stores). The port has been highlighted as a successful model of investment of EU funds taking into account regional economic diversification and sustainable development. Sardine, tuna, octopus, horse mackerel and sea bass are the most valuable landed species. The sardine fishery has been awarded the MSC certification and it is expected that the local processing industry will also benefit from this certification. The working population involved in fishing activities is around 2500 workers. The visit was hosted by the Mayor of Peniche, Mr António José CORREIA and by the President of the Institute for Ports and Maritime Transport, Mr João CARVALHO. The Mayor of Peniche highlighted that the municipality is recognised as an example of a very innovative community regarding the searelated activities, with a wide range of initiatives in the areas of fisheries, tourism, culture, preservation of the local natural environment and projects linked to the waves (in particular surfing and the production of renewable energy). - Meeting with the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Luis VIEIRA, The Secretary of State for Fisheries and Agriculture welcomed the delegation and made a short briefing about the situation of the fishing sector in Portugal. He stressed that Portugal has currently around 2000 unfilled employment positions in the fishing sector and that third-country workers are being recruited. He highlighted the progress made towards modernisation of the sector, but pointed out the need to support initiatives from the younger generation and to improve working and safety conditions in order to counter the unattractiveness of the fishing professions. 4

5 - Meeting with representatives of stakeholders and local authorities The delegation was given a presentation by Mr Ulisses PEREIRA, Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of the Portuguese Parliament, coordinator of the fishing working group of this Committee and rapporteur on the opinion of the national Parliament regarding the European Commission Green Paper on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP), adopted in December Mr Pereira highlighted the strong maritime tradition of Portugal, which has a 12 mile band of territorial waters of almost a km2 and a coastline of km (including the outermost regions of Azores and Madeira) and where fishing is a very important economic, cultural and social factor. Portugal has the highest per capita consumption of fisheries products in the EU with an average of 56.6 kg per head per year (EU average 22.7/head/year). He pointed out that there had been a sharp drop (50 %) in number of vessels and total tonnage between 1986 and Regarding the reform of the CFP, he stressed the need for a balance between the environmental, social and economic pillars of the CFP (without prioritising any of these three aspects), the need for a bottom-up approach and a more regionalised management of the CFP and the need to find new management models complementary to the TACs and quotas system, which, according to him, is not adapted to mixed fisheries. He also stressed that the model of transferable fishing rights is not appropriate to the small-scale coastal fishing sector. Mr Pereira highlighted in his presentation the need to maintain the external dimension of the CFP, ensuring the presence of EU fleets in both international waters and waters of third countries through fisheries partnership agreements and participation in RFMOs and the need for investment for applied research in the area of fisheries. Some key points raised during the meeting by several representatives of the sector are mentioned below. - Call for a stronger regionalisation of the CFP and greater attention to the specific elements of local fisheries; - Unfair competition from the products coming from third countries; - Problems arising from the complexity of implementing and enforcing the provisions laid down in the control regulations and the need for better law making and simplification of administrative procedures; - The need to implement a strategy for the sustainable development of fisheriesdependent communities as a way to cope with declining resources, low income from the activity, lack of attractiveness for the fishing profession, the weak competitiveness 5

6 of the sector and the low added value of their products. Several ongoing interesting integrated projects in this area were mentioned at the meeting, in particular by the Coastal Action Group (Grupo de Acção Costeira do Oeste) and the Municipality of Peniche, many of them co-funded by the EU. During the debate, several members of the delegation emphasised the importance of regionalisation in the upcoming reform of the CFP and the key role that should be played by Regional Advisory Councils. It was also stressed that there was a solid consensus in the EP on the need for a stronger regional element in decision-making, taking greater account of regional specificities and the need for greater involvement of stakeholders in the design and management of fisheries policies, as pointed out by the EP resolution of 25 February 2010 on the Green Paper on CFP reform. A dinner was offered in the evening to the delegation by the Peniche Municipality and the local producers' organisations, with the participation of the Mayor of Peniche and several representatives of the sector. The convivial and friendly atmosphere contributed to a frank and open exchange of views and to giving the participants a better understanding of each other's respective activities. Conclusions Visits and meetings provided opportunities for a direct dialogue with fishers and other industry representatives, as well as with the national and local authorities, who expressed their concerns regarding the situation of fisheries and fishing communities in the country and the forthcoming reform of the CFP. 6

7 AZORES Introduction The Archipelago of the Azores, one of the outermost regions referred to in Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 1, consists of nine islands divided into three groups Western (Flores and Corvo), Central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and Eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria). It forms an isolated geographical region located at approximately 1500 kms from the west coast of continental Europe and 3800 km from the American continental coast. The scattered configuration of the archipelago and its relative isolation from other islands and the two continents are the main factors behind the creation of a large Exclusive Economic Zone (corresponding to an area of approximately km 2 ) situated within ICES X and CECAF The Azores region, being both insular and isolated, is socially and economically dependent on fisheries, as a sector generating direct and indirect employment, as the main source of production destined for external markets and as a source of food supply for the local population. The Archipelago of the Azores is one of the 30 regions with the highest dependence on fisheries in the European Union. The visit of the delegation was restricted to the islands of Faial, Pico and São Miguel. Visits and meetings held - Visit to the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) of the University of Azores (Horta, Faial Island) The Department of Oceanography and Fisheries at the University of the Azores (UAç/DOP) was established in 1976 and is located in the town of Horta, Faial Island. Members of the delegation were received by Prof. Eduardo ISIDRO and met several members of the DOP team (Profs. João GIL, João GONÇALVES, Mário Rui PINHO and Hélder SILVA). They were given a comprehensive presentation about the activities of the DOP. 1 According to Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Outermost Regions are considered to have special structural, social and economic handicaps due to their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, and economic dependence on a few products. The permanence and combination of these factors severely restrain their development. 7

8 The Northeast Atlantic, and in particular the Azores Region, is an area of international interest for oceanographic, fisheries and biodiversity studies The team members at UAç/DOP have been involved in developing different activities within these fields, in a multidisciplinary effort to conjugate this knowledge into a better understanding of the dynamics of this region, and its biological, physical, chemical and geological relation with other oceanic regions of the world. The Department has an oceanographic Research Vessel "Arquipélago" (and three other vessels/boats) at its service. Main research programmes deal with the description, experiment and modelling of oceanic ecosystems, within the areas of Ecology, Marine Biology, Physical and Chemical Oceanography, and Fisheries. Particularly interesting are the research activities related to habitat mapping and biodiversity, acoustic telemetry, satellite telemetry for oceanic species, deep sea ecosystems - seamounts and hydrothermal vents, science and technology for the deep sea, biological studies and organisms from extreme environments and oceanography 2. The DOP also participates in several long term programmes for the monitoring and management of marine fisheries, like the Portuguese Multiannual Data Collection Programme, the Azores Fisheries Observer programme and the Annual fishing cruise for the monitoring of demersal fish resources. Members were also given a presentation about fisheries in Azores by Prof João GIL PEREIRA, in particular on fishing zones, the characteristics of the fleet and fishing gears and the volume and value of the main species landed. 2 Some of the more recent projects are the CORALFISH ( Assessment of the interaction between corals, fish and fisheries, in order to develop monitoring and predictive modelling tools for ecosystem based management in the deep waters of Europe and beyond -FP7), MEFEPO (Making the European Fisheries Ecosystem Plan Operational -FP7), MADE (Mitigating Adverse Ecological Impacts of Open Ocean Fisheries -FP7), CAREX, (Coordination Action for Research Activities on life in Extreme Environments), HERMIONE (Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Man's Impact on European Seas), CONDOR (Observatory for long-term study and monitoring of Azorean seamount ecosystems) and MARPROF (Gestão e valorização gastronómica de espécies pesqueiras da Macaronésia). 8

9 - Visit to the Regional Legislative Assembly (Horta, Faial Island) Members were received by the President of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Azores, Mr Francisco COELHO. A joint meeting took place with the Subcommittee on Economy and the Subcommittee on General Affairs of the Regional Legislative Assembly, respectively chaired by Mr José REGO and Mr Pedro GOMES. The regional representatives presented the main concerns and specificities regarding fishing in Azores and Members of the delegation had the opportunity to put several questions. A dinner was offered in the evening to the delegation by the Regional Legislative Assembly, with the participation of Mr Francisco COELHO and several other members of the Regional Assembly and representatives of the sector. - Lunch with the Mayor of Horta and representatives of the sector (Horta, Faial Island) The members of the delegation were offered a very appreciated lunch in the famous Peter's Café Sport by the Mayor of Horta, Mr João CASTRO, followed by a guided tour to the well known Scrimshaw Museum. 9

10 - Visit to COFACO tuna factory (Pico Island) Members visited the factory and were given interesting explanations about processing methods and marketing practices. COFACO promotes sustainable fishing techniques, such as tuna fishing using the art of "pole-and line" and avoiding the capture or injury of cetaceans. The canning industry plays an important role in the economy of the Azores, as it is one of the main sources of employment in the private sector. Canned tuna products account for between 40% and 60% of exports from that region, most of them being destined for the Italian market. This sector is characterised by a high level of female employment. After the visit, the delegation returned to the town of Horta, after a rough boat crossing along the choppy waters between the Islands of Pico and Faial 3. - Visit to the Interpretative Centre of the Capelinhos Volcano (Faial Island) Members were received by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea, Mr ÁLAMO MENESES. They were offered a very interesting guided tour through the recent Interpretative Centre and had an interesting exchange of views on the fisheries specificities and marine environment aspects related to the archipelago. 3 A fishing vessel trip along the coast was expected to take place on the last day of the visit, but was cancelled due to the persistence of bad weather conditions. 10

11 - Courtesy visit to the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Ms Berta CABRAL (São Miguel Island) On the São Miguel Island, Members were received by the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Ms Berta CABRAL, at the Town Hall and were given a video presentation about the town. A dinner was offered in the evening to the delegation by the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, with the participation of the Vice-Mayor, Mr José BOLIEIRO. - Courtesy visit to the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, Mr André BRADFORD (São Miguel Island) The Regional Secretary of the Presidency emphasised the importance for the Azores of this visit by a large delegation of the Committee on Fisheries and stressed that this was an excellent opportunity to assess the situation of this outermost region, in particular in the context of the new powers of the EP in the framework of the Lisbon Treaty and of the forthcoming reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. - Visit to the fishing port of Ponta Delgada and meetings with representatives of the sector (São Miguel Island) Members visited the port and were given a presentation describing the fishing activities in the Azores by representatives of the Management Board of Lotaçor, Mr João VIEIRA PEREIRA and Ms Cíntia MACHADO. Lotaçor operates 11 fish auctions in the archipelago and is responsible for the management of regional fishing ports. This visit was followed by a meeting in Ponta Delgada with a large delegation of representatives from the sector (fishers, vessel owners, representatives of women's associations, of the port authority and of producers' and marketing organisations). The key issues emerging from the debate are summarized below. 11

12 Information gathered on the features and some of main concerns of the fishing industry and the regional authorities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores - Statistical data about fisheries in the Azores 4 Members were given interesting presentations providing statistical data about several aspects of the fisheries sector in the archipelago, including the regional fishing fleet, employment, volume and value of catches, processing, trade and marketing of fisheries products and infrastructures related to ports and auctions. - The Maritime Zone around the Azores The resources of the Azores EEZ are far from being proportionate to its large size, as the zone is affected by a number of factors which considerably reduce its potential. These include: the absence of a continental shelf; fishing banks which are dispersed across the ocean and separated from each other by particularly deep waters that form an obstacle to migration by demersal species and the likelihood of the existence of substocks; the morphology of the lower waters (irregular and generally deep), with its adverse consequences on ecosystem conditions and implications for fishing techniques; the geographical location of the archipelago in a transitional environmental zone of the North Atlantic, and hence near the distribution limits (north and/or south) of numerous species, including tuna and certain demersal varieties (the Azores are thus subject to the major annual environmental variations which characterise environmental border zones, and this has a considerable influence on stock fluctuations and on the movements and replenishment processes of certain species of commercial interest); and the low primary productivity of the zone in comparison with the continental shelf. The fishing effort in the Azores is concentrated on the exploitation of fishing zones less than 600 m deep (coastal fringe and fishing banks) which are usually called potential fishing zones. These account for almost all of the deep-sea catch as well as for most of pelagic species (especially tuna) catches that are landed in the region's ports. Nevertheless, the absence of a continental shelf means that only 0.8% of the EEZ comprises waters less than 600 metres deep and 7.6% with a depth between 600 and 1500 metres 4 Members can obtain copies of these presentations (mainly in Portuguese) by contacting the PECH Secretariat. 12

13 There are not many fishing banks in the Azorean bio-geographical maritime zone and the ones that exist are very small. It s important to note that the area of fishing banks available in the 200 miles surrounding the Azores, for the current type of fishing up to 600 metres in depth, doesn t even reach 50% of the area available in the 12 miles of the territorial sea off the Portuguese Continent. In fact, the maritime zone that surrounds the Azores has a large quantity of water, but it is very deep and has few fish. - Ecological concerns Precautionary management objectives have always been followed in the Azores and the Azorean fleet mainly practices artisanal fisheries using highly selective fishing techniques. The practice of fishing with trawling gear and gillnets at a depth exceeding 30 metres as well as with drift nets and trammel nets is prohibited in the Azores Sea, the (highly selective) pole-and-line technique is used to catch large pelagic species (tuna and similar species), and there is a ban on the use of bottom-set long lines near the coast. There is also a large number of protected maritime zones in the Azores following the adoption of conservation and self-regulatory measures, guaranteeing sustainable fishing. A further example of such measures, taken at regional level, is the ban on fishing around the islands within three miles off the coast. Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, in a highly sensitive geological area at which the Euro-Asian and African and North American plates meet, the Azores EEZ includes hydrothermal vents with rich ecosystems inhabited by unique but extremely sensitive species. Any over-exploitation of resources will imply a complex and slow process of recovery, and developments in fishing effort therefore need to be monitored closely. According to the Azorean stakeholders and regional authorities, the liberalisation of access to the Azorean EEZ by powerful EU fleets using highly predatory gear is giving rise to considerable concern in the region, particularly in view of the highly sensitive ecology of the zone. - The spatial scope of the protected restricted area for fishing activities around the Azores and the proposal for a decentralized management of the bio-geographical area of the Macaronesia The Regulation on fishing effort management in Western Waters (Council Regulation 1954/2003) replaced the regime established in 1995 and reduced the protection zone of the Azorean main fleet from 200 to 100 miles. The 2003 regime stipulates that, in waters up to 100 nautical miles from the baselines of the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands, the Member States concerned may restrict fishing to vessels registered in the ports of these islands, except for vessels traditionally fished in these waters. 13

14 It became clear during the various meetings with Azorean stakeholders and the regional authorities that this reduction is strongly criticized by the Region, which argues that it has led to an increase of fishing activities in this specific maritime zone in violation of the basic principles of precaution and sustainability. On the other hand, this situation is not deemed to give the Azorean fishers equal opportunities, when compared with the access guaranties given to the fishing communities of the European Continent, as, according to Azores' representatives, the 12 miles off continental waters are far richer in fishing species than the 200 miles area of water surrounding this ultra-peripherical region. The Azorean representatives believe that the principle of fishery management by different bio-geographical maritime territories, according to their characteristics, is the correct principle at a European level, so that this sector can be economically viable in the long term and able to guarantee its sustainability in the different regions of Europe, with equal opportunities and social justice for the communities that rely exclusively on the proximity of fishing resources for their subsistence. For the Azorean representatives, it is a high priority to re-establish a maritime zone of permanent protection of 200 miles in the Azores, within the bio-geographical maritime region of the Macaronesia, thus promoting a positive discrimination in terms of access to resources in favour of the small-scale fishing fleets and the fishing communities of this region, and contributing to the preservation of the local economy, in accordance with the Treaties and the principles of the CFP 5. While all members of the delegation supported the need to ensure the environmental and social sustainability of fisheries in the region, a more regionalised and bottom-up approach of fisheries management and the appropriateness of a positive discrimination for the outermost regions in some areas of the CFP, there was no unanimity among them about the possible reestablishment of a restricted maritime protection area of 200 miles around the Azores. - Trade and Markets Several speakers pointed out that the small-scale fishing fleet's productions from ultraperipheral regions have been directly affected by the distortions created by a global market that receives fishing products from other continents not subject to the same regulations as the European sector. They stressed the importance of developing strategies that can ensure equal conditions in the European Union, not only in terms of fishery 5 Some of the representatives of the sector also mentioned, in this context, a recent paper of the "Insular sub-division" working group of the South Western Waters Regional Advisory Council on the reform of the Regulation 1954/

15 sustainability but also with regard to health, sanitary and hygiene requirements control. They underlined that producers should have their own place in the commercial chain, in order to decrease the number of intermediaries and reduce the gap between the prices resulting from fishing auctions and the prices that the final consumer has to pay - Structural Policy and Public Financial Support The Azorean representatives stressed that the new EU financial framework should maintain and reinforce special allocations and increased support for co-financed actions in the outermost regions, and take into account the new challenges, such as the regional integration of the outermost regions in their respective geographic areas and the impact of international trade agreements on these regions. Some speakers mentioned the need to implement Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) and the type of measures currently provided for under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund, in order to support the sustainable development of coastal areas in the Azores. It was also considered as essential to maintain and reinforce, beyond 2013, the specific instruments and mechanisms that allow the compensation of the additional costs incurred in the marketing of fishing products, in view of the structural limitations that affect this sector in the outermost regions. The support provided to the Azores for offsetting additional costs under the POSEI-fisheries programme 6 was considered by several speakers as clearly insufficient. - Women and fisheries in the Azores Members were impressed by the large delegation of women that attended the meeting and spoke about the role of women in the small-scale fishing sector of the Region and in areas heavily dependent on fishing. Clarisse CANHA, President of UMAR-Açores, stressed that women account for 17.5% of the total employment in the fishing industry in the Azores. The regional women's networks and organisations are very active in the Azores and are members of AKTEA (the European network of Women Organisations in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe). Conclusions This visit provided an excellent opportunity for the Committee delegation to familiarise itself with the situation on the archipelago and to obtain a better insight on the ground into the special characteristics of this outermost region, as well as to consult with the 6 See Council Regulation No 791/2007 of 21 May

16 regional stakeholders on the main challenges and perspectives in the context of the forthcoming CFP reform. The delegation was made aware of the need for compromises and solutions to be found in order to safeguard the survival of communities which depend heavily on fisheries and to preserve resources in the region. * * (*) * Members can obtain copies of the presentations by contacting the PECH secretariat For further information, please see also the Note prepared by the EP Policy Department on Structural and Cohesion Policies on Fisheries in Portugal

17 ANNEXES ANNEX I PROGRAMME WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL Lisbon and Peniche 10:30 Transfer by bus from the EP to the aeroport 12:20-14:10 Flight (TP 607) from Brussels to Lisbon 14:50 Transfer by bus to Peniche 16:15 Visit to Peniche harbour, hosted by the Mayor of Peniche, Mr António José CORREIA and by the President of the Instituto Portuário e dos Transportes Marítimos, Mr João CARVALHO 17:00 Meeting with the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Luis VIEIRA (Docapesca) 17:45 Meeting with representatives of local fisheries organisations, at the Peniche Town Hall (venue: Edifício Cultural) Welcome by Mr Ulisses PEREIRA, MP, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of the Portuguese Parliament (Assembleia da República), Mr Humberto JORGE (OP Centro), Mr Jerónimo RATO (CAPA), Mr Rogério CAÇÃO (Grupo de Acção Costeira) and Mr Jorge ABRANTES, member of the Municipality Council of Peniche 19:30 Buffet hosted by the Peniche Municipality and by the local fisheries organisations 21:00 Transfer by bus from Peniche to Lisbon 22:00 Check-in and accommodation in the Hotel Tivoli Oriente Avenida D.João Parque das Nações, Lisboa- Tel:

18 THURSDAY 14 APRIL Faial and Pico 9:05-10:50 Flight (TP 1843) from Lisbon to Faial Island (Azores) 11:15 Transfer from Horta airport by bus 11:45 Visit to the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of Azores Welcome by Mr Eduardo ISIDRO Meeting in the Auditorium with: Mr João GIL Mr João GONÇALVES Mr Mário Rui PINHO Mr Hélder SILVA Subjects: presentation of the scope and the structure of the Department and exchange of views on fisheries research 12:45 Lunch hosted by the Horta Municipality, with the Mayor of Horta, Mr João CASTRO, and guided tour to the Scrimshaw Museum (venue: Peter's Café Sport) 14:00 Regional Legislative Assembly of Azores Welcome by the President of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Azores, Mr Francisco COELHO Meeting with members of the Committee on Economy of the Regional Legislative Assembly and the Chairs of the Sub-Committee for Economics, Mr José REGO and of the Sub-Committee for General Affairs, Mr Pedro GOMES 15:15 Transfer from Horta to the Island of Pico (boat) Visit to the COFACO tuna canning factory Welcome by Mr Nuno CARDOSO (Management Director) Return from Pico to Faial Island (boat), with Mr João GONÇALVES (DOP), Mr José António FERNANDES (President of the Fisheries Federation of Azores) and Mr Genuíno MADRUGA ( fisherman and well known sailor) 18

19 Accommodation in the Hotel do Canal Largo Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, , Horta (Faial, Azores)Tel: :30 Dinner hosted by the Regional Legislative Assembly (venue: Fayal Resort Hotel) FRIDAY 15 APRIL Faial and São Miguel 8:30 Meeting in Hotel lobby and departure to a visit to the coastal area of Faial, including the Capelinhos Volcano and its Interpretative Centre (bus) Welcome by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea, Mr José Gabriel do ÁLAMO MENESES 12:15 Reception hosted by the Bensaude group (venue: Hotel do Canal) 15:00-15:50 Flight (SP-2447) from Faial to São Miguel Island 16:00 Transfer by bus from the airport to Ponta Delgada and check-in at the Hotel Marina Atlântico 16:15 Courtesy visit to the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Mrs Berta CABRAL Ponta Delgada 16:45 Welcome by the President of the Management Board of Lotaçor, Mr José Luis AMARAL (venue: Lotaçor) Visit to the fishing port, with Mr José António FERNANDES, President of the Fisheries Federation of Azores 17:45 Meeting with representatives of fishers' and shipowners' organisations (venue:hotel Marina Atlântico) Participation of Mr João António GONÇALVES (Capitania de Ponta Delgada/port authority), Mr Gualberto RITA (president of the Ribeira Quente civil parish), Mr José Floriberto dos SANTOS (Associação Terceirense Armadores), Mr António SILVEIRA (Associação 19

20 Pescadores Ilha de S. Jorge), Mr José Manuel MARQUES (Íris do Mar shipowner), Mr Liberato FERNANDES (Cooperativa Porto Abrigo); Mr Luís Carlos BRUM (Sindicato Livre Pescadores dos Açores); Mrs Fátima GARCIA (Ilhas em Rede), Mr Edmundo NARCISO (Associação de Comerciantes do Pescado dos Açores) 19:00 Press Conference (venue: Hotel Marina Atlântico) 19:30 Courtesy visit to the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, Mr André BRADFORD, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government of Azores (venue: Palácio da Conceição) 20:30 Dinner hosted by the Municipality of Ponta Delgada (venue: Hotel Talismã) Rua Marquês da Praia e Monforte 40, Ponta Delgada 22:00 Return to the Hotel Marina Atlântico Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral n.º1, Ponta Delgada (São Miguel - Azores) Tel: SATURDAY 16 APRIL São Miguel 8:00 Meeting in the Hotel lobby and transfer by bus to Ribeira Quente 9:00 Visit to the Ribeira Quente fishing port, hosted by president of the civil parish council (junta de freguesia) of Ribeira Quente, Mr Gualberto RITA Visit to a longliner fishing vessel and short trip along the coastal fishing grounds 11:00 Departure to Furnas, via caldeiras 11:30 Reception hosted by Mrs Maria do Céu PATRÃO NEVES, MEP (venue: Hotel Terra Nostra) 12:30 Departure to Ponta Delgada, via Lagoa das Furnas 15:05-18:10 Flight (TP 6554/ S4124) from Ponta Delgada to Lisbon 19:45-23:30 Flight (TP 618) from Lisbon to Brussels 20

21 ANNEX II MEMBERS EP FISHERIES COMMITTEE Delegation to Portugal April 2011 List of participants Ms Carmen FRAGA ESTÉVEZ (ES - EPP), Chair and Head of the Delegation * Ms Maria do Céu PATRÃO NEVES (PT - EPP) (out of quota) - organizer of the delegation Mr Mato ADROVER (ES - EPP) Mr Antonello ANTINORO (IT - EPP) Mr Kriton ARSENIS (EL - S&D) Ms Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (ES - ALDE) Mr Luís Manuel CAPOULAS SANTOS (PT- S&D) (out of quota) Mr João FERREIRA (PT - GUE) Ms Iliana MALINOVA IOTOVA (BG - S&D) Mr Jarosław Leszek WAŁĘSA (PL - EPP) SECRETARIAT Ms Marília CRESPO, Administrator (official responsible) Ms Ana Paula SOARES, Assistant POLITICAL GROUP ADMINISTRATORS Ms Ouarda BENSOUAG (EPP) Ms Diana GIERSTORFER (ALDE) Mr Vasilios MYLONAS (S&D) ASSISTANTS OF MEMBERS Mr Nuno CAMPO (Assistant of Ms Patrão Neves) Ms Magdalena SAGIN (Assistant of Mr Walesa) Mr Alexander STANCHEV (Assistant of Ms Iotova) INTERPRETERS - ES, IT, PT, EN, BG ES: IT: PT: EN: BG: Erro Errandonea Arantxa (team leader) Rusinol Vila Maria Zaccaria Laura Venturi Annalisa Sardinha Maria Leonor Alvim Margarida Bolton Andrew Mullender Garry Bogomilova Denitza Hristova Sashka 21