It’s ten years since a group of fifty small-scale fishermen met in Brussels, coming together from nine EU nations, to establish Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) as a dedicated platform to push for the rights of the small-scale fishing sector.
To mark that ten-year anniversary, LIFE launched a call to action on the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, calling for a differentiated approach to the management of small and large scale fisheries – an idea that had been floated in 2009 in the Commission’s Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, but never applied.
Also marking the LIFE’s tenth birthday is a change of faces at the organisation’s management team. Brian O’Riordan, who has been LIFE’s deputy director and subsequently executive secretary, is stepping down and his role is being taken over by Marta Cavallé, who has managed LIFE’s Mediterranean programme over the last seven years.
‘With extensive hands on experience in project management and policy development, and with a deep commitment to the cause coastal fishing communities, Marta will provide strong leadership and direction to LIFE’s programme,’ Brian O’Riordan said, adding that he will be continuing as a policy adviser and running the Brussels office, and is working with Marta to ensure a smooth transition.
‘A marine biologist by training, Marta has for the last 17 years dedicated her professional life to small-scale fishing communities, and for the last seven years has been tirelessly co-ordinating LIFE’s work in the Mediterranean,’ he said.
‘This has shown her to be a highly capable, competent and resourceful project manager. She has a deep knowledge of the sea and understanding of the ways of small-scale fishing. This is matched by her strong commitment to promoting fair fisheries and her dedication to the cause of small-scale fishers fishing in a low impact and sustainable manner.’
‘After seven years as the Mediterranean co-ordinator at Low Impact Fishers of Europe, I take a step further as I have been entrusted to become the new executive secretary of LIFE, a role that I take with both full respect and excitement,’ Marta Cavallé said.
‘I feel honoured and thankful for the proposal, and I am fully committed to bring the best of me on this new leading role. I am happy to count on inspiring mentors, a brilliant team of staff and collaborators, a committed board of directors and assembly of members, powerful partners and a supporting family. I am confident that we, all together, will surely make a big difference in the years to come.’
‘As Brian and Jerry say – always onwards and upwards!’
