EU Budget 2028–2034: a non-starter without a reinforced specific fund for fisheries  

Europêche expressed deep disappointment at the European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which foresees a 67% cut in ring-fenced funding for fisheries, reducing the allocation to just €2 billion.

‘This proposal is inconsistent with the EU’s stated priorities on competitiveness, resilience and food security,’ said Javier Garat, President of Europêche. ‘The Common Fisheries Policy is one of the few fully European policies. To strip it of a fully-fledge fund is not just inconsistent – it ultimately dismantles the very policy itself.”

The sector raised concerns about the merger of fisheries financing into wider macro-funds, exposing operators to competition with larger industries. Maximum aid intensity rates will also be completely left on the hands of Member States, which is bound to create distortions and unfair competition within the common market. Europêche appreciated the constructive talks held with the Commissioner and Member States aimed at finding ways to ensure that funding for fisheries is safeguarded at no less than the present level.

This support is vital for fishers to continue investing in new technologies, ensuring safer and better working conditions, attracting new talent to the profession, leading the transition to a low-carbon future and staying competitive in global markets.

Fishing opportunities for 2026: progress recognised, but zero-TAC advice threatens communities

While welcoming the Commission’s latest communication acknowledging the good management of EU stocks, Europêche voiced serious concerns over zero-catch proposals and poor data categories.

• Baltic Sea: Europêche recalled that the current regime shifts stems from environmental pressures (pollution, predation by seals and cormorants, oxygen depletion), not fishing. Therefore, further reductions in bycatch quotas appear to be more symbolic than effective and would force many fishing companies to shut down. Europêche thus urged to maintain bycatch quotas for cod and herring and to adopt effective management measures for seals and cormorants.
• Mediterranean: The sector highlighted the significant progress made through reduced fishing effort (>40%) and strict management measures. Europêche called on EU policy-makers to grant additional fishing days as a reward for these sacrifices and to remove Mediterranean red shrimp from the quota system.
• North-East Atlantic: Europêche, echoed EU Advisory Councils recommendations stressing that ICES advice continues to be overly precautionary, with many stock assessments still based on limited data and precautionary assumptions that unfairly penalise the sector. In addition, zero-TAC proposals for cod, haddock, and whiting would have devastating consequences for coastal communities. Europêche urged EU policy-makers to move away from zero-catch approaches, maintain bycatch quotas, and factor in socio-economic impacts when setting quotas for key species to soften the severity of proposed cuts. 

Europêche raises the alarm on EU–UK–Norway and international fisheries talks

Europêche reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with the UK and welcomed the 12-year extension of reciprocal fishing access until 2038. However, the organisation warned that new restrictions risk turning this agreement into empty words. In particular, recently adopted marine protected areas (MPAs) in Scottish waters and Stage 3 MPA proposals will force many vessels out of UK waters. Europêche considers many of these closures unjustified, disproportionate and discriminatory since European vessels will suffer nearly five times greater economic losses compared to UK vessels operating in the same areas. On top of this, the closure of the sandeel fishery—still in place despite a favourable arbitration ruling—is damaging the fleet. Europêche urged both sides to find political solutions and adopt mitigation measures to safeguard EU fishing communities.

On the wider stage, Europêche voiced strong concerns over the poor state of key pelagic stocks such as mackerel, herring, and blue whiting— following years of overfishing by other Coastal States, such as Norway, Russia and Faeroe Islands. The organisation called on the Commission to take a tougher line: secure fair and sustainable sharing arrangements through high-level diplomacy and by applying market pressure and targeted trade measures against unsustainable practices. In the meantime, Europêche insists that EU and national authorities must clearly explain that proposed catch limits (TACs) are based on scientific advice and therefore sustainable. Consumers, retailers, and the market at large must continue to trust, sell and eat EU-caught mackerel since it remains a sustainable choice. 

Fisheries Control Regulation: improvements welcome, but weighing rules unacceptable

The sector acknowledged progress on the implementation of the Control Regulation following Commission engagement and adjustments to address stakeholder concerns. However, Europêche warned that proposed weighing rules remains unacceptable and regrets that adopted derogations on margin of tolerance remain unapplicable in practice. Europêche appreciated constructive dialogue with Commissioner Kadis and his cabinet to develop workable solutions at technical level.

Competitiveness Compass: call for an omnibus proposal

Europêche welcomed the Commission’s push to simplify EU rules—but warned the big EU strategies and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) revision is moving far too slowly, with no real impact expected before 2030. The sector called for an urgent omnibus proposal to cut red tape and simplify fisheries rules, highlighting that the farming sector has already enjoyed fast-tracked reforms. All sides agreed to continue working on concrete proposals.

Free Trade Agreements: open markets cannot mean unfair competition

In her State of the Union address, President von der Leyen highlighted that fishers are facing ‘high input costs, red tape and unfair competition’. Inspiring words — yet, in practice, new FTAs with Indonesia and Thailand will allow low-standard duty-free tuna imports. Europêche called for its exclusion or impose strict origin rules.

Under the new EU-US deal, the EU faces a 15% tariff on its seafood exports to the USA, while thousands of tonnes of American seafood, enter the EU market tariff-free. This imbalance has hit European companies hard and created zero business opportunities for EU seafood exports. The sector urged to seek tariff derogations for EU seafood products in the next round of negotiations.

Press Contact:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche | Email: daniel.voces@europeche.org │ Phone: +32 489 26 81 07

EP Press Release – Meeting Kadis MS

Europêche welcomed Commissioner Kadis’ commitment to a long-term vision for a resilient, competitive and sustainable EU fisheries sector. The association emphasized the urgency of immediate action to reverse the declining fleet size and job losses caused by imbalanced EU policies, costs pressures, increasing area closures, access restrictions and maritime spatial squeeze. Europêche called for fairer competition in the marketplace by aligning sustainability standards for imported seafood with those required of EU fishers, ensuring a level playing field.

Javier Garat, President of Europêche, stated: “We are very pleased with the Commission’s active engagement today. Commissioner Kadis has shown a strong commitment to maintaining an open dialogue and developing practical policies and regulations for the sector.” He continued: “This is just the first of many meetings needed to tackle the significant challenges facing our industry. Our discussion with Commissioner Kadis represents an important step towards shaping a competitive and sustainable future for the EU fisheries sector. We look forward to a shift in policy direction and the CFP evaluation presents a crucial window of opportunity. Europêche remains fully committed to working closely with the Commissioner and his team.”

While the EU Common Fisheries Policy has driven significant environmental progress, Europêche underscored the need for a more balanced approach that equally prioritizes environmental, socio-economic and food security goals. The association proposed revising unworkable policies, such as the landing obligation and upgrade policies to address challenges like climate change, Brexit and the energy transition. Europêche strongly advocated for reducing the administrative burden and simplifying the thousands of rules fishers have to comply with on a daily basis.

Europêche highlighted the need for a science-driven approach to marine protection and maritime spatial planning, emphasizing the importance of respecting traditional fishing grounds. With increasing spatial constraints from marine protected areas and offshore renewable energy developments, Europêche urged the Commission to secure access to squeezing fishing grounds.

Europêche advocated for greater flexibility in multiannual management plans, with a particular focus on the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Europêche requested an urgent revision of the Western Mediterranean Regulation in line with the demands of Spain, France and Italy and the majority of political groups in the European Parliament. It also called for a revision of policies that have unfairly led to the closure of traditional fishing grounds to bottom fishing gears. Similarly, Europêche urged the implementation of fisheries control rules within a workable timeline, respecting the principles established in the main regulation and developed in close consultation with the sector.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to achieving full decarbonization of the sector but stressed the need for adequate EU funding, fleet modernization and innovation. Europêche called for more sectoral support for the next funding programme and the implementation of an EU fleet renewal plan to support the transition to zero-emission fisheries.

Europêche expressed concerns over the growing dependence on seafood imports, which account for over 70% of EU consumption. The association urged the EU to implement mirror clauses for imported seafood, requiring adherence to the same sustainability standards as EU products. This would promote fair competition and support domestic fishers.

With critical post-Brexit negotiations on the horizon, Europêche called for clear political directives and early agreements to ensure stability and legal certainty for the sector. Achieving a fisheries agreement before the end of 2025 is essential to maintain resource management and safeguard EU interests in shared waters. Additionally, Europêche emphasized the need to link market access to fisheries access and compliance, advocating to take tariff and trade measures to counter unsustainable practices by neighbouring countries like Norway.

Regarding the Oceans Pact, Europêche stressed the need to keep fisheries at the core of the EU’s vision for the oceans. It underscored the sector’s vital contributions to EU food sovereignty, healthy diets, coastal community livelihoods and marine ecosystem stewardship.

Press Contact: 

Daniel Voces de Onaíndi, Managing Director of Europêche | Email: daniel.voces@europeche.org | Phone: +32 489 26 81 07

EP Press Release – Meeting Commissioner Kadis