EU fisheries organizations demand urgent Common Fisheries Policy revision

Four major industry organizations—Europêche, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT), and Copa-Cogeca—are calling on the European Commission to commit to a targeted revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The groups argue that the Commission’s newly released ‘Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040’ lacks the necessary legislative action to address structural challenges. They warn that without policy reform, the sector faces continued decline, noting that EU fishing employment fell by 31% between 2013 and 2023 and the number of active vessels has reached historic lows.

Representatives state that the current framework, last comprehensively reformed in 2013, fails to account for modern realities such as climate change, Brexit, and energy crises. The organizations emphasize the need for a focus on the social dimension of the industry, including fleet renewal, improved maritime safety, and modernized working conditions to secure future jobs and food security.