The French fishing industry is adopting a Strategic Sector Contract, and is now awaiting guarantees from the State before it can be implemented.
The signature of the Strategic Sector Contract by President Emmanuel Macron, in the presence of industry representatives, France Filière Pêche, industry body CNPMEM and the French regions marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the state and the fishing sector.
The result of more than two years of consultation, this framework contract meets the expectations expressed by the President in November 2023. The fishing industry has responded by constructing an ambitious plan, structuring the future of the sector in its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Expectations are are now running high and the industry wants to see this commitment translate into real actions and guarantees.
‘The industry has done its part by building a solid plan. The State must be at our side so that this Strategic Sector Contract comes to life and allows the industry to plan for the future,’ said CNPMEM president Olivier Le Nézet, commenting that this event sends a strong signal.
‘It is essential that this ambition is reflected in all future decisions, in line with the commitments made today. Building the future of fishing and the industry cannot be achieved without a forward-looking, pragmatic, and concerted approach to ocean management.’
In 2023, President Macron announced a €700 million budget, based on offshore wind taxation, to support the ‘transformation’ of the fishing industry. The Strategic Industry Contract now sets the framework for these investments and projects around six priority areas, contributing to food sovereignty, responding to the expectations of consumers and society, continuing to improve the sustainability of the sector, improving competitiveness and modernising the sector, strengthening governance and structuring tools for the sector, and the restoration of trust between the industry and society.
Among these priorities, fleet renewal is a central issue. The French fleet is one of the oldest in Europe, with an average age of 31 years. Modernising these vessels is seen as an absolute necessity to ensure the sector’s sustainability, whether it means reducing energy dependence, the environmental footprint of the vessels, or increasing the attractiveness of working conditions. But this transition cannot be achieved without a clear and secure framework at the national, European, and international levels.
CNPMEM states that this framework contract must be accompanied by a strong commitment from the State to enable the industry to plan ahead and respond to the challenges it faces.
