The Commission is organising a workshop on technical conservation measures and discards in the future CFP. The aim of this workshop is to hold discussions between gear experts,NGOs and the fishing industry on the current system of technical conservation measures in the EU to learn how technical conservation measures could possibly be regulated in the future Reformed CFP.

The agenda will be organised in four sessions:

- Session 1: setting the scene (Opening speech by the Commission and one presentation of the outcome of the consultation process of the reform related to technical conservation measures and how to reduce discards)

- Session 2: Selectivity of fishing gears and practices (two presentations, one given by the industry and the other one by a gear expert, of 15 min each on the selectivity of fishing gears. After the presentation an expert panel will discuss on the topics presented)

- Session 3: Access to resources (two presentations, one by the industry and the other one by an NGO, on current spatial/temporal measures such as closed areas, etc., followed by the expert panel discussion)

- Session 4: Impact of fisheries in the marine ecosystem (two presentations, one by the industry and the other one by an NGO, on current spatial/temporal measures such as Natura 2000 areas, etc., followed by the expert panel discussion)

The Commission will summ up the contributions expressed by the participants and will close the debate.

RACs (2 representatives per RAC, one from the industry and one from the other interest groups), ACFA (2 representatives from EUROPECHE, 1 from COGECA, 2 from EAPO, 2 from ETF, 3 from NGOs), gear experts, Member States, EP, CDR and ECS are invited to participate.