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
European Social Partners in the fisheries sector meet Commissioner Kadis to put fishers at the heart of the European fisheries agenda
Fishers took centre stage yesterday as Commissioner Costas Kadis met with the European Social Partners — ETF, Europêche, and Cogeca— to shape the future of Europe’s fisheries. The discussion focused on ensuring fair jobs, economic resilience and social sustainability in the sector, while addressing key EU policy priorities including the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, the European Oceans Pact and Vision for Fisheries 2040, and the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Europêche welcomes ILO Guidelines promoting fair labour market services for migrant fishers
Europêche, the representative body of Europe’s fishing sector, welcomes the successful conclusion of the Meeting of Experts on Guidelines for Fair Labour Market Services for Migrant Fishers, held under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO) from 27 to 31 October 2025 in Geneva.
Europêche strengthens its team to raise the voice of EU fishers in Brussels
Europêche, the representative body of Europe’s fishing sector, has appointed Margot Angibaud as senior policy advisor to reinforce the organisation’s commitment to sustainable bottom fishing and amplify the sector’s voice in EU and international decision-making. With this move, Europêche aims to intensify its advocacy for the EU fleet by promoting sustainable ocean governance, showcasing the sector’s achievements, boosting business competitiveness and securing a level playing field.
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.