Today, the Commission presents a package of measures for the improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector. This package includes four elements: a Communication on the energy transition in EU fisheries and aquaculture; an action plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; a Communication on the Common Fisheries Policy policy today and tomorrow and report on the common organization of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products.

The main objectives of the measures are to promote the use of cleaner energy sources and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to reduce the sector’s impact on marine ecosystems. The proposed actions will be implemented gradually to facilitate the adaptation of the sector. A ‘pact on fisheries and oceans’ will also support the full implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in coordination with Member States and stakeholders in the fisheries sector, including fishers, producer organisations, regional consultative bodies councils and scientists. The proposals also seek to make the sector an attractive workplace for younger generations.

Net zero emissions in fisheries and aquaculture by 2050

The sector’s current dependence on fossil fuels is not only environmentally unsustainable, but also makes it vulnerable to energy price increases. When fuel prices rose in 2021 and 2022, many vessels remained tied up in ports and the sector needed financial support as much of the EU fishing fleet was unable to cover operating costs. Aquaculture was also exposed to the higher prices of both fuel and fish feed. The sector received financial support from the EU.

The Commission is today proposing to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, for a climate-neutral fisheries and aquaculture sector, in line with one of the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. It is also proposing measures to support of the sector in order to accelerate its energy transition, through greater fuel savings and the transition to renewable, low-carbon energy sources.

One of the key actions is the Energy Transition Partnership for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture. This action will bring together all stakeholders, including in the sectors of fisheries, aquaculture, shipbuilding, ports, of energy, NGOs, national and regional authorities, with the aim of collectively addressing the challenges of the sector’s energy transition.

The Commission will also work to fill gaps in technology transfer from research and innovation to application, to promote workforce skills development, and to improve the business environment, including opportunities funding and awareness.

Protecting marine ecosystems for a sustainable fishery

Climate change, biodiversity loss and ocean pollution threaten the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture resources. The Commission presents a marine action plan to strengthen the contribution of the CFP to the EU’s environmental objectives and to reduce the adverse impacts of fishing activities on marine ecosystems, in particular due to seabed disturbance, bycatch of sensitive species and impacts in marine food webs. A healthy marine environment with healthy fish stocks and rich biodiversity is the only way to ensure a prosperous future for EU fishing communities in the medium and long term.

The action plan contributes to the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and its commitment to legally and effectively protect 30% of our seas, with a third strictly protected. To achieve this objective, the Commission calls on the Member States to take fisheries conservation measures, with the aim of effective protection and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), with a clear timetable. These efforts should include protecting spawning and spawning areas, reducing fish mortality rates, and restoring key areas for sensitive species and habitats.

The plan also aims to reduce the impact of fishing on the seabed. The urgent protection and restoration of seabed habitats in marine protected areas is crucial, given their importance as EU marine biodiversity hotspots and the importance of blue carbon in marine habitats in tackling climate change. The Commission therefore calls on Member States to propose joint recommendations and take national measures to phase out demersal fishing with mobile gears in all marine protected areas by 2030 at the latest, and not to allow any new marine protected area. The first measures should already be taken by March 2024 for Natura 2000 sites under the Habitats Directive that protect the seabed and marine species.

The plan also proposes actions to increase the selectivity of fishing gear and practices and to reduce bycatch of threatened species, setting out a timetable to help Member States prioritize the species most in need of protection.

As oceans and seas cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and more than 65% of the EU’s territory, today’s action plan will also form part of the EU’s contribution to the implementation of the recent Kunming-Montreal agreement on biodiversity.

“Agreement on Fisheries and Oceans” to contribute to the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy

The Common Fisheries Policy remains the right legal framework to address the challenges facing EU fisheries and seas, providing the necessary stability in the fisheries sector and allowing the EU to lead by example in promoting sustainable fisheries globally . The three basic principles on which the policy is based still apply today: environmental, social and economic sustainability, effective regional cooperation, and science-based decision-making. However, several challenges remain for the full implementation of the CAP, and faster and greater structural transformation is needed to reduce the environmental and climate impacts of fisheries and aquaculture. This is necessary to restore a healthy marine environment and ensure food security, as well as to help the sector become more resilient, increase energy efficiency and rapidly contribute to climate neutrality. This will help save fuel costs and develop green energy.

In order to develop a common vision for the future of the fisheries and aquaculture sector and to reaffirm the shared commitment to full implementation of the CAP with a view to opening discussions between fisheries managers and stakeholders on the future sustainability of the policy, for both social and environmental resilience, the Commission is proposing a ‘Fisheries and Oceans Pact’ involving all stakeholders. The ‘pact on fisheries and oceans’ opens a new phase of discussions and cooperation between the Commission and all stakeholders in the fisheries sector. It will help create a common understanding of the goals to be achieved and adjust policy where needed.

Record

In 2020, 124,630 people were employed in EU commercial fishing and 57,000 people in aquaculture. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) aims to ensure long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability for fisheries and aquaculture, the availability of food resources, and to ensure a decent standard of living for fishing and aquaculture communities.

Ten years after the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Commission presents a report on the operation of the policy, as well as the common organization of the markets. At the same time, it also uses the opportunity to define its vision for a future sustainable fishery.

George Fellidis