The declaration rightly underscores the role of sustainable fisheries not only in preserving marine ecosystems but also in addressing poverty, hunger and malnutrition. More than 800 million people worldwide depend on blue food systems for their livelihoods—fisheries are fundamental to both people and planet.

This global commitment is echoed at the European level through the recent launch of the EU Ocean Pact. The Pact acknowledges the essential role of fisheries in Europe’s economy, food systems, and maritime heritage, calling for stronger policies to ensure a fair and sustainable future for fishers.

As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated during UNOC3: Our fishermen and fisherwomen work tirelessly to feed us, day and night, in all conditions. Yet factors such as unfair competition are pushing too many of them out of business.

Europêche echoes this call for stronger EU and international action to support fishers, reverse harmful trends, and ensure the long-term viability of the fishing sector as a key pillar of ocean governance and coastal livelihoods.

At the conference, FAO unveiled its Review of the State of World Marine Fishery Resources 2025, bringing positive news. According to the report, in the Northeast Atlantic, 75.8% of assessed fish stocks are considered biologically sustainable—a figure that rises to 86.6% when weighted by catch volume (landings). For tuna, the results are particularly impressive, with 99.3% of global landings coming from sustainable sources, thanks to the successful implementation of robust management plans by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

Europêche at UNOC3: Driving sustainable fisheries through dialogue and innovation

At the United Nations Ocean Conference, Europêche played an active role in shaping the global conversation on the future of sustainable fisheries and ocean governance. As a committed partner, Europêche co-organised and participated in several high-level events that underscore the sector’s contributions to food security, technological advancement and climate action.

In collaboration with international partners such as Better Food Future, Satlink and EBCD, Europêche highlighted how digital traceability, blue technologies and advanced management approaches can support resilient marine ecosystems and sustainable seafood systems. These events also explored how data reported by the sector and innovation can significantly boost fisheries and ocean science, as increasingly demonstrated in the EU, helping achieve global sustainability goals like SDG14.

Political dialogue: building stronger EU supply chains

Alongside key representatives from the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector—including FEAP, EAPO, EBFA, and AIPCE-CEP—, stakeholders exchanged views with key Members of the European Parliament on UNOC3 Declaration and the newly launched EU Ocean Pact.

During the meeting, the sector underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy that supports economic growth, innovation and long-term sustainability in seafood production. In response to rising global food demands and the need to revitalize seafood consumption within the EU, industry representatives called for the creation of a dedicated EU Action Plan for Blue Foods. This plan would aim to increase the supply and consumption of sustainable, high-quality seafood across Europe.

Press Contact: 

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche | Email: daniel.voces@europeche.org Phone: +32 489268107

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

EP Press Release – UNOC

According to the report, in 2018, total global capture fisheries production reached the highest level ever recorded at 96.4 million tonnes – an increase of 5.4% from the average of the previous three years. Catches of anchoveta by Peru and Chile accounted for most of the increase in catches. China’s catch rates have soared from almost 4 million tonnes in the 80’s to more than 15 million tonnes in 2018, representing 15% of global catches, being by far the major fish producer nowadays. The EU has had a stable fish production over the last two decades with an average of 5 million tonnes per year, representing 6% of the global catches.

In 2018, an estimated 39 million people were engaged in the primary sector of fisheries globally. Overall, the highest numbers of fishers are in Asia (85% of the world total), compared to a couple of hundred thousand fishermen in the European sector which has been suffering a significant employment reduction of 28% since 1995. Concerning the total number of fishing vessels, it was estimated to be 4.5 million, a 2.8% decrease from 2016. Asia continues to have the largest fleet with 3.1 million vessels, 68% of the global total, while the EU fishing fleet continues to shrink, numbering 83.000 vessels at present.

The majority of global fish stocks – 65.8% in 2017 – continue to be within biologically sustainable levels, almost 80% in the case of the North East Atlantic. In other words, and thanks to the good health of major species, almost 80% of the current global landings come from sustainable stocks.

Globally, 59.6% of the stocks are in fact maximally sustainably fished, an increase since 1989 due in part to what FAO highlights as improved implementation of management measures. However, the FAO warns that the fraction of fish stocks biologically unsustainable is increasing, particularly in fisheries with less-developed management mainly located in Southern Oceans. Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, commented: “We cannot agree more with the FAO that the perfect recipe for ocean conservation is more and better fisheries management. The uneven progress in different parts of the world calls for an urgent need to replicate and export successful EU policies to these areas. All governments need to step up efforts to ensure healthy and sustainable seafood systems that respect nature and biodiversity, such as in the EU”.

Global fish consumption rose from 9.0 kg per capita in 1961 to 20.3 kg in 2017, providing about 3.3 billion people with almost 20% of their average per capita intake of animal protein. This is mostly due to an increased availability across regions and countries, contributing to the food security and nutrition of the world population. In the EU, although a little bit higher than the global rate (24.35 kg per capita), EU citizens in 2017 ate half a kilo less compared to the previous year.

Daniel Voces, concluded: “We welcome the expansion of fish consumption worldwide. Our recommendation to EU citizens is to keep eating wild-caught fish since as highlighted by the FAO Director General, it is by far the healthiest and most environmentally friendly source of protein on earth. We more than ever need the support of EU and national authorities to promote the consumption of European seafood to help our fishermen overcome the Covid-19 crisis that has hit hard our sector”.

Press contacts:

Rosalie Tukker, Policy Advisor of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48  rosalie.tukker@europeche.org

EP Press Release – FAO SOFIA Report