Significant progress in achieving sustainable fisheries in the EU
ifish.info Information portal for the European fishing industry
EU Parliament vote on multi-annual plan for demersal fish stocks in the North Sea poses concerns to industry
Commissioner Vella committed to supporting EU long distance fishing fleet
Lack of implementation of EU funds hampers efforts to achieve CFP objectives
Success story for European fisheries and policies
Press Releases
Critical need for mackerel sharing arrangement, EU mackerel still a responsible choice
On the eve of the next round of Coastal States consultations on mackerel, the EU fishing industry urges once again decision-makers to finally agree on a comprehensive sharing arrangement for this stock. If this fails, fishers would welcome an interim emergency arrangement for 2026. In the meantime, the industry reminds consumers and retailers that EU mackerel remains responsibly sourced mackerel.
Urgent call for fair funding, balanced management and sustainable trade rules
Europêche, the representative body of the EU fishing industry, held high-level meetings last Friday with Commissioner Kadis and Fisheries Attachés from 12 Member States, under the Danish Presidency, to discuss the critical challenges ahead for European fisheries. The dialogue took place against the backdrop of decisive policy discussions on the future EU budget (2028–2034), fishing opportunities for 2026, ongoing negotiations with third countries, and the implementation of new control measures and trade agreements.
Europêche calls for an urgent and binding recovery plan for the Baltic Sea
Yesterday, the European Commission hosted the Our Baltic Ministerial Conference in Stockholm to discuss the future of the Baltic Sea, with the participation of ministers from the Baltic region and the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis. This event marked the first initiative under the Ocean Pact on fisheries matters. In this context, Europêche urges the European Commission, Member States and the European Parliament to swiftly agree on a binding recovery plan for the Baltic Sea.
News
iFish, We Fish
The commercial fisheries of the EU stretch for thousands of square miles, from the inhospitable seas of the Arctic North, to the warmer and more favourable climes of the Southern Mediterranean. These communal waters harbour a plethora of commercial species of fish and shellfish, the landings of which form an integral part of the economies of 23 member countries, accounting for a colossal 4.9 million tonne catch, from a fleet of 87,500 vessels, a statistic that indicates a world ranking of 5th largest in terms of total output.
European Projects
The Catching the Potential Project was officially kicked off on the 28th of May with the project consortium from seven EU Member States. In the course of the next three years, we will work together on the project's goal to develop an European, perhaps international, standard in the field of sustainability training for fishers.
Catching the potential’s ultimate goal is to develop a European standard for sustainable fisheries training. Learn more about the steps of the project.
The project as a whole, consists in partially implementing the work programme of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Sea Fishing in order to significantly make progress in various key areas of interest for Social Partners. The main issues covered by the project are mainly dealing with how to improve health, working conditions and safety at sea of our fishermen.
Home by the Sea -Can fisheries and wind farms co-exist?
Sustainable fishing activities require space as does the development and operation of offshore wind farms. In order to safeguard the future of our seas and oceans, the EU adopted back in 2014 a Directive for maritime and coastal spatial planning urging Member States to ensure that human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way and reduce users’ conflicts. At the same time, to tackle climate change, EU governments are determined to answer to the EU’s Paris Agreement nationally determined contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990. For this purpose, some countries are pushing to increase offshore wind power 40-fold by 2030 in Europe.
Needless to say, the European wind industry has an ambitious plan, hereby claiming a vast amount of space. Therefore, the question 'Can fisheries and wind farms co-exist?’ is a relevant but complex question which will become more pressing in the near future.
Home by the Sea by Hiske Ridder. www.conpuls.nl
On behalf of and many thanks to: Job Schot, Dirk Kraak and Cor Vonk, www.vissersvoorvrijezee.nl. Julien Theore, Silvain Gallaisl and Olivier Becquet, https://pecheursartisans.com. Bertrand Wendling, https://sathoan.fr. Pim Visser, VisNed.nl. Rosalie Tukker, http://europeche.chil.me.