ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF FISHING ENTERPRISES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Press Releases

Europêche highlights fisheries as cornerstone of the European Oceans Pact

In a public hearing organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Tim Heddema, Vice-President of Europêche, emphasized the importance of keeping fisheries at the heart of the EU's vision for the oceans. The sector’s representative highlighted fisheries’ vital contributions to EU food sovereignty, healthy diets, coastal community livelihoods and marine ecosystem stewardship, urging the EU to prioritize and strengthen these roles in the EU Oceans Pact. This political initiative launched by President von der Leyen, is set to be presented at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.

Europeche and ETF urge new policy direction to secure “Fishers of the Future”

The Chair of the EU Social Dialogue Committee for Sea Fisheries , Cor Blonk, addressed the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector during the "Fishers of the Future " conference. A study that examines the future role of fishers in society up to 2050. As part of the expert panel, Mr Blonk, emphasized the indispensable contributions of fishers and vessel owners in ensuring Europe’s food self-sufficiency and supporting coastal communities. He called for urgent, coordinated action from policymakers to secure the fleet’s future, with a strong focus on the social dimension, to support a thriving and resilient fishing industry able to offer quality and safe jobs.

ICCAT FAD Moratorium reduced in the Atlantic, tuna industry will now try to recover from economic impact

After five years of implementation, the Atlantic Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) moratorium enforced by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), was reduced from 72 to 45 days during ICCAT's 24th special meeting, held in Cyprus from November 11 to 18. This decision was taken at the initiative of the European Union, Ivory Coast, and Central American countries.

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

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.