President. – Written declaration number 0047/2011 on fish as a common good was signed by a majority of Parliament’s component members.
Therefore, pursuant to Rule 123, it will be forwarded to the addressees and published with the texts adopted at the sitting, with a record in the minutes of the names of the signatories.
Guido Milana (S&D). – (IT) Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I thank Mr Arsenis, Ms Patrão Neves and Mr Romeva i Rueda and their assistants for contributing substantially to the success of this initiative. Fish is a common good, as it provides 15% of the protein intake of more than 3 billion people, and the livelihoods of over 500 million people depend on fishing and aquaculture. This makes it a truly global common good.
By approving this statement, we are indicating a clear path to the Commission on the need to encourage responsible conduct, both among the fishing community and on the part of consumers. The debate on the common fisheries policy now has one more reason to support actions to broaden the scope of European policy from a narrow vision, concentrating on fishing methods and a policy of inward-looking rules.
Instead, we suggest a strategy which treats the sea as a privileged place so as to increase its function as a breeding ground, both within EU waters and through innovative fishing agreements with third countries. What is more, this is not only about protecting the environment and maintaining biodiversity, but also about responsible fisheries, economic and social sustainability, which is clearly in the interests of both fishermen and our economy.