On Tuesday 20 October, the European Commission adopted its ‘Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture towards 2040’, aimed at strengthening the two sectors’ environmental and economic viability.
Speaking to the press, European Commissioner for Fisheries Costas Kadis acknowledged that the document did not rule out legislative proposals to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Mr Kadis defended an energy roadmap, which he described as “a realistic, affordable, and socially fair pathway for the sectors to gradually move away from fossil fuels”.
On generational renewal, he noted that “the workforce in the fisheries sector is ageing, and there is limited interest from young people to enter the profession”. The Commission will present a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy. On financing, he said that “public resources alone will not be enough”, and that “we need to mobilise also private finance, including through de-risking instruments”.
As for the CFP’s weaknesses, he cited “the ineffectiveness of the landing obligation, the need for modernisation and decarbonisation of the ageing fishing fleet, the need for providing fair treatment and further support to small-scale fishers, and the need to ensure a level playing field and protect our sectors from unfair competition”.
According to the document on the ‘2040 vision’, the Commission proposes promoting greater stability through multiannual total allowable catches (TACs), and setting fishing opportunities based on a balanced account of any socio-economic considerations.
Other planned measures include improving fleet capacity management, and ensuring a fair and transparent allocation of fishing opportunities, paying particular attention to small-scale coastal fishers and new entrants in accordance with Article 17 of the CFP. The Commission also proposes allowing unused quotas to be reallocated.
To attract young people, the Commission plans to draw up a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy in 2027. This strategy will address the persistent gaps in training and skills in order to attract trainers, experienced professionals, and young professionals to careers in the blue economy.
Aquaculture. By the end of 2027, the Commission intends to present a proposal to remove obstacles to aquaculture development, and establish an EU-wide simplified, coherent regulatory and administrative framework that has flexible licences without lowering environmental standards. It also intends to launch a “Sustainable Aquaculture initiative” in 2027, providing a platform for coordination and exchanges between stakeholders.
Other measures cited include developing the European framework for the welfare of farmed aquatic animals at every stage of production, and improving environmental and climate performance. The Commission will publish a working document on the ecosystem and climate services provided by aquaculture in 2027, and will continue to explore reward mechanisms such as nature credits.
Energy transition. According to the communication, one of the most feasible short-term ways to reduce operating costs, strengthen resilience, and improve the sectors’ emissions performance is to adopt energy-efficiency measures. At the same time, a step-up in investment for developing and testing clean technologies and fuels is needed so that energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions can be adopted on new vessels and, where possible, through retrofits. The Commission also states that modernising fishing vessels should ensure crew safety and meet the sector’s energy transition needs.
Consumption. The Commission proposes to apply digital traceability to all products throughout the supply chain by 2029, including processed products. It also proposes to examine extending mandatory consumer information, particularly to prepared and preserved fishery and aquaculture products.
By spring 2028, it is set to present a proposal to incorporate the STCW-F Convention into EU law, and promote training and certification standards harmonisation within the fisheries sector.
Access to finance. The Commission proposes to carry out a study by the end of 2027 on the potential leveraging of fishing rights for improving access to finance, particularly as collateral or through an EU-wide secondary market, while respecting national competences.
The institution proposes to address unwanted catches and protected species by-catch, taking account of technology, fully documented fisheries, and advances in selectivity.
Link to the communication: https://aeur.eu/f/o06
Link to the annex: https://aeur.eu/f/o02 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)