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
Europêche calls for sustainability conditions in EU fish import tariff regime
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the sustainable import of fishery products under the EU Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) Regulation[1]. The Commission is looking to possibly adjust the ATQ regime to incorporate sustainability criteria for imported products to benefit from the tariff derogations. Europêche views this as a unique opportunity to transform the duty-free regime, aligning it with the EU's environmental, social, and food sovereignty objectives and ultimately help achieving a level playing field in the EU market.
A Divided Ocean: Progress and Persistent gaps in IOTC’s 29th session
The 29th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), held in La Réunion from 13 to 17 April 2025, concluded with the adoption of a full management framework for tropical tunas. This is a key step which will allow now to focus on other tuna species and control measures, in order to ensure a minimum level playing field between the different fleet within the Indian Ocean. Europêche calls on all IOTC parties and stakeholders to implement and enforce the adopted measures as soon as possible, as well as to begin addressing management needs for other tuna and associated species.
Levelling the Playing Field: Europêche Tuna Group Urges IOTC to Strengthen Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
As the 29th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) opens in La Réunion from 13 April 2025, the Europêche Tuna Group (ETG) calls on Contracting Parties to adopt concrete measures to ensure effective and sustainable management of tropical tuna stocks.
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.