WWF has expressed disappointment that despite the good progress represented by 21 out of 27 European Union Member States confirming their support for an international trade ban for endangered Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, this majority is not enough for EU countries to sponsor a proposal to this effect. The global conservation organization calls for the support of other countries.

Africa is asking its team of trade negotiators working on the Economic Partnership Agreement to focus on economic development before deciding on opening up markets to the European Union. Mr Erastus Mwencha, the deputy head of African Union Commission, says the continent should not be tied to timelines on the deal that envisages full access to African markets by 2025. Mr Mwencha on Monday told the EU-Africa Business forum in Nairobi that the proposed date was unrealistic. Africa will wait for national incomes and the efficiency of its industries improve to compete with the EU, the official said.

A team from the European Commission delegation in Barbados was in Antigua to discuss political and economic developments in the country as part of the annual Mid Term Review of projects and programmes. The Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Public Administration is the public sector mechanism that will be the main beneficiary of 10th European Development Fund (EDF) support.

A draft EU-Guinea fisheries partnership agreement was rejected by a small majority in the Fisheries Committee on Thursday, after the Guinean government's use of force led to the deaths of over 100 civilians in Conakry on Monday. The deal would provide €450,000 a year in EU funding to develop Guinea's fisheries sector, and allow EU boats to fish in Guinean waters.

Dr. Len Ishmael, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), is visiting Finland hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 14-15 September. Len Ishmael from St. Lucia leads the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), formed by nine island states in the Eastern Caribbean. Established in 1981, the organisation has developed the cooperation between the member states so that the countries currently have a common Currency Union and central bank, close cooperation between the respective judicial systems, and strivings for closer political collaboration.

The European Commission is increasingly inclined to ban Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing, thus supporting Monaco's proposal to list the species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) next March. Highly appreciated by sushi lovers and overfished for years, in Asia, especially in Japan, bluefin tuna prices can fetch up to $100,000 for a single fish. But the EU will not fully commit until its 27 member countries have been consulted on September 21 or before new scientific data emerges in November.

The Seychelles Fishing Boat Owners’ Association’s website is now online. The site was created by the SFA (Seychelles Fishing Authority) with technical support from the CDE. It is a means of promoting the products of Seychelles artisanal fisheries as part of a broader programme to promote all Seychelles fisheries products.

A little-known European Union regulation coming into force January next year could have a major impact on the health of fishing industries in developing countries, according to a new study. The EU is the single largest consumer of fish in the world, accounting for around 40 per cent of global imports. Such is the continent's appetite for aquatic life, the cumulative net fish exports from developing countries now exceed earnings from coffee, bananas and rubber. But near-unfettered access to the European market for developing countries is set to end with the adoption of new legislation to help eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and ensure the sustainability of worldwide fish stocks. The IUU Regulation - to be implemented from January 2010 - puts in place strict conditions on countries that want to maintain access to the lucrative European market.

In September 2008, the European Commission’s Communication on ‘A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research’ took this a stage further by laying out an action plan for better integration of research between the maritime and marine communities in order to address the problems of marine degradation caused by human activities and develop new technologies for sustainable development of maritime activities. This brochure is based on that communication and explains the context behind its creation and some of the proposed actions and initiatives that will be carried outin the coming years.