Javier Garat, President of Europêche, declared: ‘It is our hope that Mr. Kadis will restore the balance between biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and food security – an equilibrium that was regrettably lacking in the previous legislative term. With his extensive experience in nature, agriculture, and fisheries, we believe he is well-equipped to address the realities faced by our sector and coastal communities.’ 

Europêche also welcomes the mandate given to the Executive Vice-President-Designate for Cohesion and Reforms. He will be tasked with helping to ensure that fisheries becomes more resilient, sustainable and competitive in the global market. It represents a significant step toward elevating fisheries and food production on the Commission’s agenda, as advocated by the sector, with a dedicated focus at the Vice-Presidency level.

In this context, as outlined in the mandate for the Commissioner-Designate for Agriculture and Food, we need a Fisheries Commissioner who will work closely with fellow College Members to develop a cohesive ‘vision for food’, promote trade reciprocity and advance a strategy for generational renewal within the sector.

The sector looks forward to a fruitful and constructive partnership with the new European Commission that ensures both the sector competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Europêche welcomes meeting with Executive Vice-President Šefčovič amid crucial political transition

Europêche is pleased to announce the confirmation of a meeting with Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič that will take place on 25 September. Both parties will address urgent fisheries matters during a crucial political transition period, as the EU prepares for the next European Commission.

Europêche welcomes Vice-President Šefčovič’s availability to meet during such busy and transitional political times, recognizing his continued leadership in the sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s fisheries sector.

As the industry faces a variety of critical challenges, Europêche is eager to discuss the following high-priority issues: 

1. High-level dialogue on fisheries management and ocean-related cooperation with Norway: establishing a sustainable partnership and trade arrangements to protect shared resources and the interests of the EU fleet.
2. EU position for the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) Annual Meeting 2024: creating a level playing field for the European fleet, fighting IUU fishing to protect EU consumers and ensuring decisions are based upon best available science. 
3. Fishing opportunities for 2025: securing sustainable and fair quota allocations in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean seas to safeguard both natural resources and the future of the European fishing sector.

Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, declared “While the new College of Commissioners is expected to take office by December 1, this meeting will ensure that pressing fisheries issues continue to receive the political attention they deserve. Europêche remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue and close collaboration with the EU executive to safeguard the future of the fishing sector.”

On the same day, Europêche will also meet Member States to address these pressing fisheries matters and to prepare for the next legislative term. 

Press contacts:

Anne-France Mattlet, Deputy Managing Director of Europêche: +33 678 11 63 01 | anne-france.mattlet@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Commission Designate Costas Kadis

Photo credits: European Union 2022

In a letter addressed to President von der Leyen, Europêche underscored two critical requests for the Commission President’s immediate attention. First, the sector appreciated her decision to appoint a dedicated Fisheries Commissioner for the upcoming term, emphasizing the need for a true balance between biodiversity conservation, a competitive fishing fleet, and food security. An equilibrium that was clearly lacking in the previous legislative term, according to Europêche.

Second, Europêche also called for enhanced focus on primary food production and food sovereignty, advocating for these issues to be elevated to the Vice-Presidency level within the Commission’s agenda and structure.

With Commissioner Sinkevičius set to assume a parliamentary seat following the recent European elections, Europêche highlighted the impending political gap in the Commission’s structure. The organization outlined two possible scenarios for addressing this vacancy: either leaving the position open until the new college of Commissioners takes office or appointing an interim Commissioner. In either case, Europêche urged that any interim leadership refrain from exercising provisional political mandates. Instead, the sector calls for institutional continuity and stability.

The letter to President von der Leyen voiced the fishing industry’s apprehensions regarding some of the decisions and actions taken by the outgoing Commissioner that may have been influenced by his candidacy for Parliament. For instance, in 2023, the Commissioner considered the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) fit for purpose. However, only a year later, during the election campaign, he called for a full evaluation with a view to revising the CFP. To prevent a recurrence of such issues, Europêche stresses that the EU should not grant political mandates during transitory regimes.

Javier Garat, President of Europêche, emphasized the sensitivity of transitory political periods, stating, ‘During these interim times, it is crucial that decisions affecting our industry are made with institutional continuity and necessary democratic backing. We urge President von der Leyen to ensure that any interim arrangements prioritize stability over political interests.’

Europêche reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the European Commission, pledging to support ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the lead-up to the new legislative term. 

Press contact: 

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche +32 489 26 81 07 daniel.voces@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Replacement Commissioner Sinkevicius

According to the European Market Observatory for Fishery and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), “the EU’s self-sufficiency has been following a negative trend since 2018, which reflects both the downward trend of EU production and, even more, the increase of imports. The highest level of self-sufficiency – 46% – was reached in 2014.” From 2014 onwards, which coincided with the entry into force of the Common Fisheries Policy adopted in 2013, the EU is shifting away from its self-sufficiency goal.

Mr Voces, managing director of Europêche, argued that “fishers have suffered tremendous socio-economic losses over the last decade due to hefty quota cuts with the promise that, once recovered, seafood production would multiply. The EU has moved from 5 stocks at sustainable levels (MSY – Maximum Sustainable Yield) in 2009 to 60 in 2022 and yet seafood production has decreased.” “Thus, the CFP is not delivering its objective to reduce seafood dependence”, he underlined.

Mr Voces regretted that, instead of trying to revert the situation, the EU is prioritising marine renewable energy and environmental protection over food security. While energy transition is important, it should never undermine healthy and sustainable food production. Likewise, the sector observes with concern how environmental policies are taking over fisheries management, which breaks the balance of the three pillars of sustainability (people, planet and profit). This has translated into more area closures and restrictions which, combined with external factors such as Brexit, high-energy prices and inflation, are decimating the fleet and food security.

Mr Voces concluded: “Perhaps the fact that fisheries and environmental policies have been placed under the mandate of the same Commissioner has not helped. Fisheries, as an exclusive competence of the EU, merits its own political leader. For the upcoming European Commission mandate (2024-2029), we firmly advocate for fisheries to be exclusively placed under the mandate of a dedicated Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The EU needs to return to a model where primary food production and self-sufficiency are true core principles. If anything, fisheries should be considered in conjunction with agriculture rather than environment, as both the Council of the EU (AGRIFISH) and the Treaty of the EU collectively address them together.”

Press contacts:

Rosalie Tukker, Senior Policy Officer of Europêche: +32 2230 48 48 rosalie.tukker@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Food Security EESC Santiago

The European fisheries sector has thanked Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, for the quick call for a meeting gathering all the stakeholders in the fisheries value chain affected by the situation. At the meeting, the sector, represented by Europêche and by the European Association of Fisheries Producer Organizations (EAPO), has reiterated to the Commissioner the need to adopt urgent measures in view of the turn of events, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that the war is already having on the activity of the European fishing fleets.

The President of Europêche, Mr Javier Garat, declared during the meeting that: “For months the sector has been facing a difficult economic situation enduring a steep increase in gas and electricity prices and logistic costs. Now, fuel prices are reaching an all-time high, exceeding €1/litre in many EU countries. 60 cents per litre, was already the price limit for our vessels to remain profitable. The situation is even worse than the fuel crises of 2008”. He continued: “For many vessels it is impossible to go to sea. Fishing vessels in all the Member States are tying up as a consequence of the sharp increase of energy costs. If the stoppage of the activity becomes a generalised problem, there could be problems with the supply of fishery products in a matter of weeks, even more so if sanctions are imposed on those of Russian origin.”

The sector has expressed to the Commissioner the need for an urgent reaction from the EU, similar to that adopted to face the consequences of Brexit and COVID. The fishing industry proposed action on five priority axes: use the EU Fisheries Fund to compensate operators for the additional costs, help fishers who have to temporarily cease their activities and support producer organizations for the temporary storage of fishery products. Likewise, it was requested to increase the aid within the state aid framework up to 300,000-500,000 € per vessel, and to increase the year-to-year quota flexibility from 10% to 25%.

The sector has also pointed out the need for additional measures in coordination with the EU Member States, such as the reduction of social security contributions, the suspension of fish auction taxes, an extension period for COVID loans or a suspension/reduction of VAT on fish and shellfish aimed at alleviating the situation.

Sinkevičius emphasised that the Commission is taking the situation very seriously and working around the clock on solutions. He committed to study the measures urged by the sector and proposed to hold another meeting once the package of measures is more clearly defined.

Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, President of EAPO, concluded: “All efforts should be focused, where possible, on the continuation of the fishing activities to secure seafood supply as well as on providing financial assistance to those fleets forced to stop operations. Financial aid is critical, but flexible fisheries management is equally important. For instance, providing fishers the option to carry over more than the existing 10% of their fishing quotas to next year is a key free-of-charge measure”.

The sector firmly believes that the EU should focus on how to strengthen the seafood supply produced by EU companies, and not seeking for additional imports from anywhere in the world to fill the fish market gap. The second option cannot be a solution for an EU that wants to become more independent from 3^rd country’s resources.

Press contacts:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48  daniel.voces@europeche.org

Emiel Brouckaert, Secretary General of EAPO: +32 59 43 20 05  info@eapo.com

EP and EAPO Press Release – Energy Crisis