EAPO members ended this year’s annual meeting by stressing the need for clear priorities for the Common Fisheries Policy revision and the 2028–2034 EU budget.
They warn that CFP revision needs to be quick and practical, while maintaining ring-fenced funding for fisheries is essential in the next EU budget if the industry is to thrive.
‘EAPO speaks for every fleet, from the smallest vessel to the largest. That unity is our strength as the key decisions on fisheries are taken, said EAPO President Jean-Marie Robert.
EAPO members have welcomed Parliament’s resolution seeking an ambitious reform of the CFP. Central to this is a complete revision of the landing obligation while keeping its objective, facilitating decarbonisation and modernisation of the EU fleet modernisation and deeper consideration of the socio-economic impacts of following MSY. They agreed that progress now depends on the Commission acting without further delay.
They also echo the viewpoint of the PECH Committee that the architecture proposed for 2028–2034, with national and regional plans, carries a real risk that fisheries will lose out nationally with other sectors being prioritised. The Commission’s proposed ring-fencing of €2 billion is too small and EAPO agrees with the PECH ask of at least maintaining the same funding envelope under EMFAF from 2021–2027.
Members agreed to increase political pressure on their national administrations, to make sure ring-fenced funding for the sector is meaningful. They also support PECH’s warning on the implications of the “do no significant harm” principle embedded in the Commission’s MFF proposal. An overly strict interpretation of this principle will block many in the industry from accessing funding.
They state that simpler rules must extend to the quayside. Aligned to the goal of the Commission to reduce costs and administrative burden as well as simplifying of rules, EAPO members strongly support the Parliament’s call to review rules under the Common Market Organisation, the control regulation and the EMFAF. Opinion is that recently introduced legislation, particularly under the control regulation have taken a completely opposite approach.
The EAPO membership made it clear that the EU must defend European fishing rights in every sharing agreement with Coastal states. In the pelagic fisheries, advice for 2027 increases across the board. For mackerel this is 102% above last year’s advice but 11% below expected catches in 2026.
‘The stock is above its limit reference point, but the situation is not ideal. A fair sharing agreement among coastal states is the key to sustainable management,’ said Tim Heddema, chair of EAPO’s Northern Pelagic Working Group.
On a more positive note, members from the Celtic Sea, the Channel and the North Sea reported the healthy condition of the Northern sea bass stock and the necessity to agree on the end of the moratorium with the UK. More generally, decision makers must also build climate change and mixed-fisheries realities into quota setting, as the situation of the different cod stocks and sub-stocks shows.
