Europêche has welcomed a constructive exchange with European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, focusing on the urgent reforms needed to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and long-term sustainability of Europe’s fishing sector.
Europêche stressed that while the EU fishing fleet has delivered remarkable environmental progress over the past decade, the current policy framework has failed to achieve its socio-economic objectives. It hopes to see a more balanced fisheries policy that strengthens food security, strategic autonomy and competitiveness while significantly reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.
‘We appreciate the open and constructive exchange with Commissioner Kadis at a pivotal moment for the future of EU fisheries. Europe’s fishermen have delivered on sustainability,’ said Europêche President Javier Garat.
‘Now EU policies must also deliver on competitiveness, profitability and generational renewal. Time is of the essence. With the review of the CFP, the Vision for Fisheries 2040 and negotiations on the next EU budget now underway, Europe has a unique opportunity to put fisheries back at the heart of its agenda. The sector needs concrete action – not more delays – to reverse the declining trend and secure a sustainable and prosperous future for Europe’s fishing communities.’
Europêche congratulated the Cyprus Presidency for its leadership in positively advancing negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), notably by increasing the ring-fenced allocation for sustainable fisheries from €2 billion to €4 billion. The association welcomed this important achievement to support fleet modernisation, the energy transition, safety at sea, innovation and generational renewal.
Equally, Europêche welcomed the European Commission’s recent initiatives to simplify key fisheries legislation, including the revision of the Multiannual Plans and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). At the same time, it encouraged the Commission to go further by rebalancing the CFP, addressing the shortcomings of the landing obligation, reviewing fleet management rules and ensuring that Fisheries Control Regulation remains practical and does not undermine the competitiveness of the EU fleet.
Concerning fisheries relations with Northern coastal states, Europêche called for continued political engagement with the United Kingdom, Norway and other coastal states to reach comprehensive and equitable quota-sharing arrangements that fully respect and secure the European Union’s historical fishing rights.
On trade policy, Europêche reiterated its concerns over the cumulative impact of free trade agreements with major tuna-producing countries. The association called on the European Commission to safeguard the EU tuna sector through strong and enforceable safeguard clauses similar to those in the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
It also urged the Commission to deduct the additional tuna volumes granted under future free trade agreements from the forthcoming Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) regime to prevent further market distortions and ensure a level playing field for EU producers. On the forthcoming Ocean Act, Europêche emphasised that fisheries must remain a strategic pillar of Europe’s maritime policy.
The association called on the Commission to address the growing spatial squeeze on fisheries by ensuring that the sector is treated on an equal footing with other maritime activities and access to traditional fishing grounds is safeguarded. It also advocated for simplifying environmental legislation and improving its coherence with the objectives and management framework of the CFP, avoiding duplication and conflicting obligations.
The presentation was welcomed of the EU’s first-ever Strategies for Islands and Coastal Communities, placing fishing communities at the heart of Europe’s agenda and culminating the successful Cyprus Presidency.
