Europêche, the leading representative organisation for commercial fishing enterprises in the European Union, has called on the European Commission to include a targeted revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in its 2027 Work Programme, expressing disappointment with the EU’s Vision for Fisheries 2040.
It claims to represent national organisations of fishing enterprises spanning small-scale (artisanal) and large-scale fleets across multiple European countries, which includes, it says, thousands of vessels and fishermen.
“We act as the primary bridge connecting the EU fishing sector with European institutions (such as the European Commission and European Parliament) and are advocating for a targeted revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).”
Following a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, it expressed “disappointment” with the newly published EU ‘Vision for Fisheries 2040’.
Europêche said greater clarity was needed on how issues such as the controversial ‘landing obligation’ could be addressed within the existing CFP framework.
While critical of a lack of commitment to revising the CFP, it still welcomed what it described as “plans for practical measures in 2027–2028”, but stressed that implementation must accompany legislative reform. Small-scale fishing representatives have separately argued for enforcement of existing CFP rules rather than reopening the policy.
On negotiations with ‘third country’ coastal states, which have been criticised particularly by the Irish industry, Europêche urged the EU to defend established fishing shares and resolve disputes involving mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring. It also called for restoration of EU access to Norwegian waters for Atlanto-Scandian herring or compensation for access already paid for.
