Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Asger Christensen, a member of the EU Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, has voiced concern over the recent nomination of Cypriot politician Costas Kadis as the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans.
Danish MEP Christensen, representing Denmark’s Venstre party, challenged whether Kadis, whose background is primarily in environmental affairs, has sufficient knowledge of the challenges confronting commercial fishing in Western Europe. In a pointed message, Christensen noted, “I’m glad we have a Commissioner for Fisheries, but I had hoped for a more independent appointment so that the fishing industry could receive the attention it deserves.”
Will environmental priorities overshadow fisheries under Kadis’ leadership?
Christensen’s primary worry is that the pressing problems in fisheries might be outweighed by environmental priorities under Kadis’ leadership. He stated, “The risk now is that fisheries matters will be drowned out by environmental concerns, especially since Kadis comes from Cyprus, where the focus is likely to be on small-scale fisheries, as seen in countries like Spain and other Southern European nations.”
Is Kadis equipped to handle northern Europe’s fishing challenges?
He also underlined Kadis’ potential unfamiliarity with the extraordinary challenges faced by Northern European fisheries, especially in areas such as the North Sea, where commercial fishing is a significant industry. “I fear that Kadis may not have a deep understanding of the North Sea and the kind of fishing operations we have here. If he is approved by the European Parliament, I will waste no time in inviting him to Denmark to give him a realistic picture of the situation in our surrounding waters.”
According to MEP, Kadis’ background is indeed concentrated on environmental issues. He has acted as the Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, where he was responsible for procedures relating to the island’s natural resources, including marine protection and sustainability.
Christensen’s comments echo broader concerns across the European fishing industry, where fishermen worry that policies focused on environmental preservation could come at the expense of their livelihoods. With tensions already high concerning fishing quotas, environmental regulations, and the effect of Brexit on EU fisheries, Christensen’s warning underscores the delicate balance between sustainability and economic survival that the new EU Commissioner will need to navigate.
