The European Commission has presented the EU Ocean Pact, a strategic initiative that marks the start of a new framework for the future of fisheries and maritime industries in the European Union.
‘This presents an opportunity to align fisheries policies with a modern ocean governance model. Europêche stands ready to work hand-in-hand with EU institutions, Member States and all maritime stakeholders to turn the vision of the Ocean Pact into a more positive future for our fishers,’ said Europêche president Javier Garat, commenting that Europêche is encouraged by the recognition of the essential role of fisheries within the broader ocean governance framework.
The strategy introduces an Ocean Act that builds on the existing Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and aims to harness the ocean’s vast potential to enhance Europe’s resilience, food security, energy supply and competitiveness. The sector sees this as a valuable opportunity to safeguard access to traditional fishing grounds and address the growing spatial squeeze in EU waters.
Europêche has particularly welcomed a number of measures that align with the priorities of the European fishing sector, including Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture which, together with the strategic review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), should help to secure a competitive and resilient sector, contributing to food security and sovereignty.
The European fishing industry body remains concerned over the absence of additional public funding to support the ambitious objectives set out in the Ocean Pact specific to the EU fishing industry. The high level of investment needed for research, innovation, the renewal of the fleet and the broader implementation of the Pact’s goals highlights the urgent need to strengthen and expand the EMFAF in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034.
While the main text refers to a ‘possible revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP),’ the annex rely on outdated targets from 2020. A similar issue arises with environmental policies, where there is a return to narratives depicting the fishing fleet – particularly bottom fishing – as the most damaging activity to the seabed. According to Europêche, this raises concerns about the reintroduction of widely criticised strategies from the previous legislative term, which the new Commission has committed to move away from, which is sees as inconsistencies with the potential to generate confusion and frustration within the sector.
‘The EU Ocean Pact sets out a new framework designed to streamline coordination, simplify reporting obligations, better implement existing legislation and achieving cross-sector policy goals. However, ambition must be matched by adequate resources and a move away from the negative rhetoric about the fishing sector,’ Javier Garat said.
‘We hope that the implementation of the proposed actions will be guided by the aim of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the fishing sector, ensuring a stable supply for the EU market.’
