Europeche

Europêche welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the call for evidence of the European Ocean Act, which is presented as a cornerstone initiative under the European Ocean Pact. Europêche supports the objective of improving coherence, coordination and effectiveness of EU ocean governance, provided that the initiative: Treats seafood production as a priority and overriding public interest; Fully respects the Common…

Europêche welcomes the European Commissions initiative to reflect on the future of fisheries and aquaculture towards 2040. However, we must begin with a fundamental point: the sector does not need another visionit needs immediate, concrete action. President von der Leyen has repeatedly called for Europe to move from words to action. Nowhere is this more urgent than in fisheries.

Europêche welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the call for evidence of the European Ocean research and innovation strategy which was announced under the European Ocean Pact. A coherent and long-term research and innovation framework is essential to improve ocean governance, support sustainable fisheries management, strengthen Europe's blue economy and enhance the resilience of coastal and island communities.

Europêche welcomes the European Commissions initiative to review the Multiannual Plans (MAPs) for the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Western Waters and Western Mediterranean. We support efforts to improve legal clarity, simplify the regulatory framework and ensure that fisheries management rules are coherent, practical and workable in their implementation.

Europêche welcomes the European Commission's initiative to amend Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The initiative comes at a crucial moment for the European fisheries sector and rightly acknowledges the implementation shortcomings identified by Member States, stakeholders and the Commission itself.

Europêche welcomes the European Commission initiative to call for feedback on the EU strategy for fisheries external action. As a general comment, we call for meaningful involvement of the sector in the formulation and review of EU external fisheries policies to ensure its legitimacy, acceptance, and effectiveness. Please find enclosed our feedack.

The European fishing sector remains fully committed to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), including the long-term sustainability of fish stocks, the provision of healthy seafood, and the economic and social viability of coastal communities.