The MarInnLeg Foundation’s Diagnosis of Blue Interest Groups report highlights the challenges of identifying not only the origin of the funding for certain advocacy actions – but also the underlying motivations. While the interests of fisheries-sector stakeholders are largely known – seeking environmental, economic, and social sustainability for their communities – the real agendas behind some environmental lobby groups remain unclear.
The report warns that the debate is no longer only about transparency and governance. It reveals the growing convergence of geopolitical strategies and private economic interests in marine spaces.
The MarInnLeg Foundation report was presented at the European Parliament during the Financing of Civil Society Actors in Fisheries: Who Pays the Bill? event, hosted by the EPP Group and it compiles publicly available data on the so-called Blue Interest Groups that influence the development of EU fisheries policies.
The report’s objective is to clarify whom these groups represent, the interests they promote and the financial resources they manage. The report highlights concerns regarding the transparency of funding sources and the potential influence of broader geopolitical interests in some conservation-focused organisations.
The study seeks to shed light on the funding sources of the groups analysed, particularly in light of the recent European Court of Auditors Special Report 11/2025: Transparency of EU Funding to NGOs. Its findings are consistent with those of the Court, pointing to persistent gaps in transparency and raising concerns about the traceability and ultimate use of substantial financial flows.
According to the report, while industry-based interest groups – such as fisheries associations and value-chain organisations – generally present clear and identifiable funding sources, more could be done to improve public accessibility to this information. In contrast, numerous environmental EU NGOs demonstrate a level of opacity in their financial structures.
‘It is crucial to verify whether donations from major non-EU foundations and philanthropic organisations come with strings attached – such as campaigning against specific fishing gears or fleets, or pushing for the establishment of no-take marine protected areas,’ said Europêche managing director Daniel Voces.
‘The EU must adopt more robust safeguards to identify the true interests behind such funding and ensure that non-EU agendas are clearly and transparently recognised within the EU’s policy-making process.’
A key concern identified is the use of legal mechanisms such as donor-advised funds and donor-restricted funds, commonly used in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. These instruments allow for the accumulation and distribution of large sums – often hundreds of millions of dollars – without disclosing the end-use or timeline for deployment. These tools hinder traceability and benefit from tax derogations.
The report notes that several large technology and fossil fuel companies appear as indirect financiers of some conservation-focused NGOs.
Although seemingly unrelated to the marine environment, these companies often have overlapping interests in ocean spaces through activities such as deep-sea mining.
This sector, essential for sourcing minerals used in high-tech manufacturing, requires access to marine zones traditionally used for fishing – potentially setting the stage for conflicting uses of ocean resources.
