ACP-EU Fisheries Research Initiative

Three conferences on promoting interdisciplinary research under the ACP-EU Fisheries Research Initiative will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, during the EXPO 98 exhibition in summer 1998. The conferences are sponsored by the Commission's Directorates-General for Science and Research (DG XII) and Development (DG VIII).

Levels of fisheries and aquaculture in the world have led to reductions in fisheries stocks and environmental degradation. The Initiative is aimed at ensuring greater understanding of the interdependence of ecological and socio-economic factors. The three conferences will address the following themes:

- Trophic relations in the oceans and economic productivity (1-3 July 1998):
This conference will look at a number of ecosystem analysis approaches and tools for fishery resource management;

- Integrated coastal zone management (13-17 July 1998):
As demands on limited resources at the land-ocean interface increase, consequent damage to coastal resource systems is increasing. Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is gaining in acceptance as a means of encouraging socially, ecologically and economically acceptable resource allocation;

- Sustainable use of aquatic biodiversity (3-5 September 1998):
Biological diversity is essential for the proper functioning of living resources on Earth. However, increasing human activity is threatening biodiversity through species extinction and introduction of alien species. This conference will look at methods and tools to sustain aquatic biodiversity in developing countries.
For further information, please contact:

European Commission

Prof. Tilak Viegas
DG XII - Science, research and development
Fax +32-2-2966252
E-mail: research@ec.europa.eu

or

Dr. Cornelia Nauen
DG VIII - Development
Fax +32-2-2990603
E-mail: research@ec.europa.eu
URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg12/marine/lisbon.html(opens in new window)