ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF FISHING ENTERPRISES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Press Releases

Europêche welcomes Estonian Long Distance Fisheries Association as new member

Brussels, 5 November 2024 – Europêche, the foremost representative body for the European Union's fishing industry, is pleased to announce the addition of the Estonian Long Distance Fisheries Association (ELDFA) to its membership. The new member was unanimously welcomed by Europêche’s General Assembly, marking a significant step forward in amplifying the collective voice of Europe’s fishers.

EU Court annuls EU Fisheries agreement with Morocco

Today, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a ruling confirming the invalidity of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the EU and Morocco. This decision has significant implications for the future of EU fleet operations and investments in the region.

Europêche meets Executive Vice President Sefcovic and Member States to discuss pressing fisheries issues

Europêche, the leading European organization representing the fishing industry, held high-level meetings yesterday with Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and Member States’ officials. These meetings were a timely opportunity to discuss several critical matters for the European fisheries sector, amid the ongoing period of political transition within the EU.

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.