The European fishing sector has left Commissioner Costas Kadis in no doubt that the situation of the fishing fleet is deteriorating rapidly and requires urgent action.
Industry body Europêche highlighted that fact that fuel prices have surged by more than 70% within days, peaking at around €1.3 per litre in many EU ports, compared to previous averages of around €0.5. Combined with rising logistical costs, including sharp increases in freight and disruptions to crew changes, operational expenses are now exceeding revenues for many fishing businesses.
‘This is no longer a risk – it is a reality,’ stated Europêche president Javier Garat.
‘We are witnessing immediate fleet tie-ups, disruption of seafood supply chains and severe income losses for fishers and crews.’
While recognising the efforts of some Member States to quickly introduce emergency support measures, the industry stresses that responses remain fragmented, insufficient and short-term, and in some cases even require EU authorisation. A coordinated EU-level response is therefore critical.
Europêche has called on the Commission to urgently deploy a comprehensive package of emergency measures, includinga activation of an EU Temporary Crisis Framework, similar to the 2022 Ukraine response, to allow rapid and flexible state aid deployment, and adaptation of state aid rules, including setting aid ceilings per vessel rather than per company, with a proposed ceiling of €400,000 over a three-year period.
Also on the table are mobilisation of EMFAF — reinforced by additional budget allocations — to enable effective compensation for income losses linked to fuel price increases, with simplified and accelerated procedures, as well as additional fisheries measures, such as increased interannual quota flexibility and storage aid.
Europêche points out that EU-coordinated fiscal and social measures, including reductions in social security contributions and suspension of specific sector-related charges and/or taxes, are also an option.
Speaking to the Commissioner, the sector underscored the gravity and urgency of the situation, stressing that in line with EU Parliamentary calls, this crisis requires a response matching the speed and ambition of previous EU actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis.
‘We need emergency tools now to keep vessels at sea, maintaining jobs and supplying seafood to our markets. For fishers, cost increases of this magnitude simply cannot be passed on to consumers,’ Javier Garat stressed.
The sector recognises the Commission’s efforts to trigger support under the EMFAF, but emphasises that this must be accompanied by additional budget allocations, as well as greater flexibility for Member States to reallocate financial resources swiftly.
Europêche is looking to see concrete measures put forward without delay, particularly in view of the upcoming AGRIFISH Council next week.
The sector stresses the importance of the Commissioner taking a leading role with Member States in advancing the adoption of emergency measures, as well as ensuring swift coordination with other Commissioners to address constraints related to state aid rules, including through both horizontal and sector-specific solutions.
