ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF FISHING ENTERPRISES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Press Releases

Europêche welcomes the Latvian North Atlantic Fisheries Association as new member

Europêche is pleased to announce that the Latvian North Atlantic Fisheries Association (Latvijas Ziemeļatlantijas Zvejas asociācija) has officially joined as a new member, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the voice of the European fishing sector at EU and international levels.

Europêche welcomes EU–UK fisheries agreement as a positive step for both sides

Europêche welcomes the agreement reached today between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which includes extension of fishing access to each other's waters until 2038. The deal, set to be formalised in London by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, represents a constructive step toward stabilising post-Brexit fisheries relations and supporting long-term cooperation. While the final text and specific access conditions are still pending, the agreement signals a shared intent to promote predictability, mutual benefit and closer collaboration in the management of shared marine resources.

Europêche welcomes landmark arbitration ruling on EU-UK Sandeel case

Europêche welcomes the final ruling of the Arbitration Tribunal established under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) concerning the sandeel fishery, marking a significant step forward for fair and science-based fisheries governance. Europêche expresses strong support for the Tribunal’s decision, which upholds the EU’s interpretation on several pivotal issues and reaffirms fundamental principles guiding fisheries management under the TCA.

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.