Maria Damanaki speaks at the Relais & Châteaux International Congress

Maria Damanaki (shown center, in black) with Relais & Châteaux representatives, including Olivier Roellinger, to her right.

Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, spoke at the 37^th annual International Congress of Relais & Châteaux. The meeting included over 600 Owners, Maîtres de Maison, and Grands Chefs from almost 60 countries. The association, which includes the most unique destinations in the world, made a commitment to sustainable seafood sourcing in 2009. Maria Damanaki’s administration has been charged with submitting recommendations for the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the premier document regulating European fisheries, and submitted a proposal to the European Parliament in July 2011.

Damanaki highlighted the need to change practices, which are diminishing ocean resources. She cited the EU’s unique position to improve fish populations because it’s a shared resource and the EU has authority over multiple actors. Damanaki outlines some of her administration’s recommendation for improving the sustainability of European fisheries including halting the discard of non-target species and stopping overfishing. She also highlighted the health benefits of seafood and the economic importance of fisheries.

Maria Damanaki receives the Environment Award from Relais & Châteaux

Damanaki’s comments underscore the importance of commitments made by organizations such as Relais & Châteaux to help improve how and what we eat. She stressed the importance of  eating seafood, but also the need to make sure it’s being done sustainably.

Olivier Roellinger, award-winning Chef and Vice President of the Relais & Châteaux Association, was named one of Seafood Choices' Seafood Champions in 2011 for his commitment to seafood sustainability. Read more about Olivier and Relais & Châteaux here.

Read a transcript of Maria Damanaki’s full speech here >>

In the Marketplace archive >>