Romania has yet to Explain Why it Detained Bulgarian Fishing Vessels

"There is still no official act on the basis of which the Bulgarian fishing vessels are detained, and this raises serious concerns," Deputy Minister of Agriculture Georgi Sabev told journalists in Balchik during a meeting with the fishermen whose vessels were detained at the port in Constanta.

"We have many questions and doubts about the legality of this act. As far as we understand, the Bulgarian ships were detained based on requirements exclusively of the Romanian legislation, and not of the pan-European legislation in the field of fisheries. European legislation takes precedence over any kind of national decrees, regulations and orders," he added, quoted by BTA.

Sabev explained that the Bulgarian ships were fishing in a water area that is managed by the community - of the entire European Union.

"They have the right to fish other than the quota stocks. At the level of the European Union for the Black Sea, there is a quota and quantity limit only for turbot and sprat. For the other types of vessels of the other countries of the European Union, they can safely carry out fishing. This is what the Bulgarian fishing vessels did as well," he added.

The Deputy Minister stated that today an urgent meeting will be held at the Ministry of Agriculture with all parties involved in the matter.

"We will provide full support to our sector. We have direct contact with the Bulgarian ambassador there and with the various control bodies, including the Fisheries and Aquaculture Executive Agency" (FAEA), added the minister.

An official document was not provided to the Bulgarian inspectors from FAEA, who also participated in the inspection of the three fishing vessels, Sabev also said.

"The...