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Small-scale Fishers Assess the Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RPOA SSF) 

2024 marks a midpoint in the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RPOA-SSF). To mark the occasion, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) invited small-scale fishers to participate in a dedicated mid-term event in Rome, as part of the Small-scale Fisheries Summit 2024 (SSF Summit 2024), to provide views on and take stock of implementation progress. The event took place over two days, on 6 and 7 July.  Taking part in the meeting were several of LIFE’s members from the Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as SSF representatives from Turkey and several North African countries. LIFE’s Policy Adviser, Brian O’Riordan also attended the meeting, where he met with DG Mare, FAO, GFCM and MEDAC representatives, as well as engaging with SSF in the discussions. LIFE contributed to the drafting of the RPOA-SSF, and has been a strong supporter of it since its launch in 2018. For a fuller description and impressions of the event, see the LIFE interview to Macarena Molina, who took the floor as a panellist on behalf of LIFE membership, alongside other fisherwomen. The conclusions and recommendations of the meeting  are available on the FAO website. 

The European elections: New Commission, New Legislature, New Opportunities for SSF  

In early July, LIFE wrote to Von der Leyen, re-elected for a second term as President of the European Commission, highlighting its priorities for the 10th legislature. These include better science for fisheries management, a differentiated approach to large and small-scale fishing fleets, and fairer fisheries, with the Article 17 being used to allocate fishing opportunities based on sustainability criteria. At that same time,  newly elected MEPs took their seats in the European Parliament,  taking up their new roles and responsibilities.  Carmen Crespo Diaz (PPE), a new MEP from the port town of Adra in Almeria, was elected as chair of the PECH Committee. Ms Crespo knows her fisheries and has strong ties to the fishing Cofradias, having served as Mayor in the Adra Municipality, and as Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development for the Junta de Andalucia. Four vice presidents were also elected: Sander Smit (EPP, the Netherlands), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR, Italy), Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew, France), and Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, Sweden).  . For more information, visit the European Parliament’s website. 

Nature Restoration Law adopted: a positive step forward after a rocky passage 

Despite the best efforts of farming and fishing lobbies to sink the bill, the EU Regulation on Nature Restoration, also known as the Nature Restoration Law, took effect on 18 August. Whilst there are no new provisions for restoring fish populations and the marine environment, the law refers to the requirements of the CFP to implement the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management so as to ensure that negative impacts of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem are minimised, and to ensure that aquaculture and fisheries activities avoid degradation of the marine environment.

This law aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Central to the new law are National Restoration Plans, based on the best scientific evidence with restoration targets. These plans need to take into account the provisions of existing laws, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the CFP Regulation, the Technical Measures Regulation, and the emerging Action Plan to conserve fisheries resources. It calls for marine ecosystems to be protected in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 requirements for stronger action to restore degraded marine ecosystems, including carbon-rich ecosystems and important fish spawning and nursery areas.

In its passage from EC proposal to law, the Nature Restoration law has been amended and watered down considerably. It is now up to the new Parliament as co-legislators to ensure that its implementation is effective, and for the new Commission, as Guardian of the Treaties to ensure the full engagement of Member States in its implementation.  

LIFE welcomes the new law as a step forward for both the fishing sector and Nature. It is very much in keeping with LIFE’s call for a differentiated policy and management approach to small-scale and large-scale fisheries, with inshore marine conservation areas reserved for small-scale fishing activities, co-managed through a bottom-up approach.

Baltic Sea Fishing Opportunities for 2025: LIFE calls for a reality check

Since the 1970s, 50% of the fish biomass in the Baltic has been lost, and since 2013, when the EU reformed its fisheries policy promising a new era with healthy fish stocks, stocks have declined by around 800.000 tonnes and catches shrunk by 130.000 tonnes. Year after year, scientists have estimated biomass levels and set fishing limits too high. It is no wonder that the Baltic Sea is now in crisis, with natural mortality rates exceeding fishing mortality, and fishmeal reduction fishing booming.

The ICES advice, published in May, shows that most stocks are not recovering or are even declining further. Sprat has now been added to cod and western herring as species at historically low levels. Whilst LIFE welcomes the ICES advice to reduce fishing levels, we are concerned that this advice does not go far enough, blinkered as it is, and unable to go beyond a simple single species approach. In the case of cod, fish are still being caught in large quantities in demersal trawl fisheries targeting flat fish (flounder and plaice). Far more cod is being caught (and discarded) as bycatch in these fisheries than in the fisheries targeting cod. The Commission’s proposal to develop selective gears is welcome, but a case of too little too late, and based on previous experience, unworkable.    

LIFE calls on fishery managers and scientists to get real on by-catch and to have a more robust  strategy for managing multi-species fisheries. In July, LIFE’s Baltic membership recommended closing fishing for Cod, Plaice, and Western Herring in sea areas 21-32, except for small-scale, low-impact fleets using passive gears. See the full recommendations on LIFE website. 

Such a reality check is noticeably absent from the EC’s proposal on the 2025 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea, where last year’s mistakes are to be repeated next year. We only find tokenistic gestures, like the closure of the western Baltic herring to small-scale coastal fishing, and unworkable technical measures for flatfish gears to reduce cod bycatch. 

Room for Improvement: Commission Publishes Report on the Implementation of Technical Measures for Fisheries Resources and Marine Ecosystems

The Commission has published a report on the implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation. The amended Regulation came into force in 2019 with the ambitious aims of supporting the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and achieving good environmental status, while finding the right balance amongst the economic, social and environmental objectives under the CFP. 

Technical measures are supposed to ensure the sustainable management of fisheries through various provisions to minimise the negative impact of fishing activities on marine biodiversity and ecosystems. 

The report cites a number of areas of progress and identifies various areas for improvements, including the adoption of measures to mitigate impacts on sensitive species. It notes that the involvement of various stakeholders, particularly the Advisory Councils, is crucial for the effective implementation of these technical measures. 

LIFE 2023 Annual Report: Focusing on Small-Scale Low Impact Fishing and Making Fisheries Fair 

The 2023 annual report of LIFE has been published, providing an overview of LIFE’s work in 2023 and its vision for small-scale fisheries (SSF) going forward , based on making fisheries fair, with a level playing field for both small and large scale fishing. The report explores the changing context of European policies, the impact on SSF of emerging policies like decarbonisation, energy transition and nature restoration,  and reports on LIFE’s responses to these.   . The report focuses on LIFE’s initiatives in the Mediterranean and Baltic and North Seas, and at EU policy level. Additionally, it mentions internal processes, such recruitment of  staff, the building of strategic alliances, and LIFE’s financial situation.  

Last but not least, the report is forward looking, sketching out plans for 2024 and describing the new projects that LIFE will engage in over the next 3 to 4 years.

Coming up 

4/9/2024: Meeting of the European Parliament Fisheries Committee. On the agenda is a presentation from DG Mare on Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2025, as outlined in its Communication SWD(2024)139 – COM(2024)235. The meeting will be live-streamed.

6/9/2024: Deadline to provide your feedback to the Call for evidence on the CFP and the EMFAF mid-term evaluation

11-13/9 The POLFISH Fair will take place in Gdansk (Poland). POLFISH is the only fair in Poland dedicated to the fish and seafood industry and one of the biggest of its kind in Central Eastern Europe. LIFE learned about the event thanks to the Round Goby project. LIFE is a partner in this initiative, co-funded by the EU under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region, that aims to develop a commercially viable fishery as a solution for dealing with the invasive Round Goby fish species. . 

18/09 (10:00-11:30) Online workshop by the Fish X project  “Setting Up Digital Collaboration”. In the framework of the amended Control Regulation entering into force, the Fish-X Project is pioneering digital solutions (essentially logbooks and VMS) tailored to SSF needs. This workshop is part of a series of 3 workshops dedicated to training and hearing views from the sector on solutions being developed. In this 2nd workshop, participants will learn and provide input about effective digital collaboration strategies using Fish-X digital tools such as by showcasing and demonstrating the operation of a “Fish-X Dataspace”, “Insight Platform” and “Traceability Platform”, followed by timely discussions. If you are a small-scale fisher, you can register to attend the webinar by reporting your interest directly to LIFE staff.  

30/9 – 4/10, Brussels: Oceana and LIFE are thrilled to welcome visitors to “We Stand for Transparent and Fair Fishing”, an exceptional photographic exhibition featuring low-impact fishers. This exhibition is part of the Oceans Week events and celebrates the dedication of LIFE Members David, Muireann, Neily, and Primitivo. Despite encountering daily challenges, these fishers from diverse European countries are committed to delivering fresh, high-quality seafood through sustainable practices and protecting their communities’ traditional heritage.  

Get in touch: communications@lifeplatform.eu

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Seaglow: LIFE joins newly-launched Horizon 2020 Project to pioneer decarbonisation in small-scale fisheries

Den Seaglow Project (Sustainable Energy Applications for Green and Low-impact Operation of small-scale fishing boats in the Baltic and North Sea basins) was launched in Aalborg, Denmark this month. It combines the expertise and efforts of 16 partners from the European Union, Norway, and Thailand. Over the next period, LIFE will work with these partners to field test decarbonisation solutions for small-scale fishing to shift towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources. It aims to showcase five different technological applications that can reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on small-scale fishing boats in the North and Baltic Sea basins, Seaglow will also evaluate their impact and assess their potential. LIFE’s Member from Denmark, the FSK, is also part of the consortium, and LIFE is enthusiastic about collaborating with them on this initiative over the next four years. LIFE is currently designing the project website, and will lead the work package on disseminating lessons learned. 

Digital transformation in small-scale fisheries: LIFE and IIMRO join the Fish-X project

Den Fish-X Project, funded by the Horizon Europe Programme, aims to help small-scale fisheries overcome the challenges of transitioning to electronic monitoring (EMS) and digital catch reporting and promoting transparency and traceability. This will include creating digital tools such as a database for institutions to access information on documented fish catches and vessel tracking, a platform for analyzing fishing activity patterns, and a traceability application. The project will receive support from LIFE and members from Ireland IIMRO, whose inputs will include contributing to developing a roadmap for digitalization of the SSF sector, as well as testing the new tools on small-scale fishing vessels.

Securing fisheries place at the centre of EU Food Policies via the Aquaculture and Fisheries Taskforce of the EU Food Policy Coalition 

To promote the advancement of sustainable food systems and the incorporation of low-impact, high-value fisheries in European food policies, LIFE has become a member of the EU Food Policy Coalition’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Taskforce. This taskforce is a working group of stakeholders whose shared objective is to promote a shift towards sustainable food systems. LIFE will represent the viewpoint of small-scale fishers based on the agenda of member associations, and will establish new connections with grassroots social movements, farmers’ organizations, fishers’ organizations, trade unions, think tanks, and scientific and research groups. This will greatly strengthen our calls for a differentiated approach to small scale and large scale fisheries, and for a system which allows consumers to differentiate between the products originating from these different food production systems. 

Tackling invasive species in the Baltic: the Round Goby project

Overfishing, pollution and climate change are affecting the availability of commercial fish stocks. These impacts are exacerbated in many areas due to the introduction of invasive, non-native species. A project under the Interreg program is addressing this issue by focusing on the Round Goby in the Baltic Sea. The Round Goby is a small fish originating from South East Europe, from the Black Sea and adjoining waterbodies. It is a demersal species that feeds aggressively on small aquatic organisms – including eggs and larval stages of commercial species. It can also be a pest by blocking fishing gears. It is potentially highly productive, capable of spawning multiple times in a year. This new project builds on the work of an earlier project in which LIFE participated. Phase 2 was launched earlier this year, and earlier this month LIFE staff met with project partners to coordinate efforts on managing the Round Goby population. Meanwhile, LIFE members from Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Latvia have been engaged in devising selective fishing gears that avoid eel capture. The project will develop fishing methods and reporting systems, and will explore the market potential for value added products. LIFE’s main role will involve coordinating with fishers using adapted gears, monitoring catches, and working with partners on fisheries management and marketing arrangements. 

Wind farms: ensuring inclusive Maritime Spatial Planning to avoid displacement opf small-scale fisheries

Spatial squeezing by the Blue Economy is a phenomenon of increasing concern to fishers, small and large. Nowhere is this more so than in the race to develop off-shore renewables to meet Green Deal targets. Particularly worrisome is their encroachment onto fishing grounds, and/or their placement near to fishing grounds and crucial fish habitats (spawning and nursery areas). The impact of developing off-shore renewables in the form of energy parks (wind turbines, tidal and wave power) on fish stocks and ecosystems is still unclear, and in LIFE’s view there are insufficient independent ex-ante impact assessments. 

LIFE brought these and other questions and concerns to an informal exchange of views with DG Mare’s team dealing with Blue Economy Sectors, Aquaculture, and Maritime Spatial Planning. Amongst the key takeaways from the meeting were that several Member States are revising their MSP plans and related energy legislation, and that ICES has been requested to make a socio-economic impact assessment of off-shore renewables on fisheries, and to report by Spring 2025. There is also the option for LIFE to engage in MSP consultations by participating in the existing Experts Group. This would imply seeking resources to build extra capacity in LIFE, or taking staff away from other activities. It comes down to deciding what should be LIFE’s key priorities, and where MSP and off-shore renewables fit into these.   

Busy, Busy, Busy: Baltic Sea Emergency,  BSAC and Board of Directors meeting. June ends with a bang for LIFE in Brussels

To mark the 5th anniversary of the Baltic cod fishery closure, an emergency measure imposed by the European Commission, LIFE organised a key event in Brussels. This well-attended gathering brought together decision-makers, officials from the European Commission and Member States, politicians, scientists, sector stakeholders, and LIFE Members from Sweden, Denmark, and Poland. The primary focus of the event was to address the concerning decline of Baltic cod stocks and other fisheries, and to discuss the inadequacies of current fisheries management systems. The event featured in-depth presentations with discussions oriented to identifying solutions and remedial actions to halt the downward spiral of the Baltic cod populations. For more comprehensive details about the event, including key presentations and proposed solutions, you can visit LIFE’s website or refer to an article published by Mundus Maris. 

Over the following days, LIFE staff and members from the Baltic region participated in the Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC) Executive Committee meeting. A key document presented was the Commission Communication to the European Parliament and the Council titled “Towards more sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2025”. LIFE’s Baltic delegation then joined LIFE’s Board of Directors meeting, conducted in a hybrid format. As well as routine items on financial reporting, membership fees, news from Members, the Advisory Councils, etc., there were also key discussions on the issue of wind farms and on differentiating small and large-scale fisheries from management and marketing perspectives.

Coming up

July and August are holiday months, with Brussels grinding to a halt. September will see the resumption of intense activities within the EU institutions, notably in the newly elected European Parliament and with the new mandates of 27 newly appointed Commissioners. In early July we should learn how the new MEPs will work on the 10th legislative agenda in different committees, including on fisheries, food, rural development and the marine environment. The first (constitutive) plenary of the new Parliament will sit in Strasbourg from 16 to 19 July, where MEPs will vote on a new President, 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors.

12/6/2024 – 06/9/2024: Ex-post evaluation of the 2014 – 2020 European, Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. This aims to identify how the Fund achieved the objectives for each EU priority; how well it responded to crises and market disruptions; and the factors that contributed to the success or failure of its investments.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14120-EU-Maritime-and-Fisheries-Fund-EMFF-2014-2020-ex-post-evaluation_en 

12/6/2024 – 06/9/2024: Mid-term evaluation of the EU Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 and call for evidence. The Commission would like to hear your views to assess the state of implementation of the EMFAF for the 2021-2027 programming period. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14119-EU-Maritime-Fisheries-and-Aquaculture-Fund-EMFAF-2021-2027-midterm-evaluation_en 

20/6/2024 – 06/9/2024: Have your say in the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy – Call for evidence. This will be followed by an evaluation study to be carried out by an external contractor starting in autumn, along with a 12 week public consultation https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14203-Common-fisheries-policy-evaluation_en 

4-8/9/2024: LIFE member Snowchange in collaboration with the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, and other supporters, will hold the fourth Festival of Northern Fishing Traditions in North Karelia, Finland.

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EU Arctic Forum: Indigenous People and small-scale fishers face similar challenges, share common values

Climate change is impacting the Arctic more dramatically than other regions; it is warming 3-4 times faster than the planet as a whole. This is affecting the livelihoods and food systems of local communities and indigenous people in irreversible ways. Meanwhile, climate change is opening up opportunities for others, attracting external actors into the region and increasing competition for space and resources.  The European Commission (DG Mare and the EU External Action Service) organised the “EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous People’s Dialogue”, a two-day event in Brussels. Key themes under discussion included the rights and territories of Indigenous people, the value of traditional knowledge and potential synergies with scientific research, and the risk of generational disconnect.  The meeting covered matters relevant to all Arctic territories, from EU Scandinavian countries to Norway, Alaska and Canada. Panellists included indigenous communities representatives (Inuit and Saami communities), alongside scientists, researchers and local towns representatives. Discussions highlighted that small-scale fishing communities in other EU regions face similar challenges. The important work being done by LIFE member Snowchange Cooperative to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to defend traditional rights, livelihoods, and cultures received particular attention.

Make Fishing Fair: Small-scale Fishers, Patagonia and NGOs call on the European Commission to revise perverse subsidies and reassign fishing opportunities. 

Small-scale fishers from Spain, Denmark, Croatia and Italy joined LIFE, NGOs and the outdoor company Patagonia, to deliver a letter to Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans & Fisheries. They are calling for fishing opportunities to be reallocated using social and environmental criteria as required by Article 17 of the CFP, and to change the way subsidies are allocated. Over 4 decades, subsidies and quotas have rewarded large-scale fishing interests, creating a distorted sea favouring high-volume extraction and high-impact fishing. Small-scale low-impact fishing could be part of the solution if favourable policies are given. The evaluation of the CFP and the European Commission’s new mandate provide an opportunity to do so; to review and revise the implementation of Article 17 and how subsidies are granted.

Envisioning an Alternative Future for Fisheries: the Rethinking Fisheries project convenes in Denmark

In 2023, LIFE joined Seas At Risk and a wider group of stakeholders to initiate a process to develop and promote an alternative vision for the future of fisheries based on a just transition to low-impact and fair fisheries. We believe that fishing is at a crossroads, and if it is to survive and thrive into the future, alternative approaches to fisheries governance, economics and social organisation are needed. The third meeting of stakeholders took place over two days in Svendborg, May 28 and 29, and included fishers, commerce, activists, and researchers. It is planned that work on rethinking fisheries will be completed after the summer break, with the launch of a broader campaign in the autumn.

Belgian Presidency, Agri-Fish Council Kick Nature Restoration Down the Road

The Nature Restoration Law was supposed to be a key element of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, to restore ecosystems for people and the planet. However, after the Belgian Prime Minister stated that it was a “bad law” and needed “to go back to the drawing board”, the Belgian Presidency of the EU decided to postpone a vote on its adoption indefinitely. This followed a pushback from the farming and fishing industry lobbies, the watering down of the legislation by the European Parliament, and its rejection by several EU member states. But this is only one side of the coin. There are many MEPs, Ministers, scientists, farmers and fishers, businesses and civil society organisations who disagree, and who have formed alliances calling for stronger and more far-reaching legislation. LIFE has joined one such alliance, an alliance of responsible businesses, and has signed up to a business letter addressed to the Belgian Presidency, calling for the urgent adoption of the EU Nature Restoration Law to bring nature back to Europe.

Putting small-scale fishers at the centre of the Blue Economy 

This year the European Maritime Day is being organised in Denmark, in the coastal town of Svendborg.  Marta Cavallé, LIFE Executive Secretary, was there to participate in several of the events taking place, notably the European Blue Forum Annual Meeting. The European Blue Forum provides an important space for discussing the Blue Economy and advocating for small-scale fishing interests to be given due consideration in the allocation of coastal resources. Her discussion panel focussed on key questions for the Blue Economy, such as how to assess impacts, how to address land-sea interactions, how to foster political will to protect the ocean, and how to facilitate technology transfer. For LIFE the priority is to ensure that small-scale fishers are seen as part of the solution to sustainable Blue Economy development, for their importance to be recognised, and for their access to resources and marine spaces to be protected in the face of competing interests (e.g. wind farms, aquaculture, tourism).

Facilitating a fair and just transition to low-impact fisheries: LIFE Danish Members bottom-up approach

During the European Maritime Day, which took place in Svendborg International Maritime Academy, LIFE Members from Denmark Foreningen for skånsomt Kystfiskeri PO (FSK-PO) organized the interactive workshop “Small Scale Fisheries: from vision to practical implementation”. The initiative aimed to contribute to the ongoing efforts of Member States and the Commission in promoting sustainable fishing and supporting small-scale and coastal fishers through a compendium of existing practices regarding the allocation of fishing opportunities. Selected speakers, LIFE Members, LIFE staff and NGOs representatives attended the event and exchanged on the challenges and best practices for a fair and just transition to low impact fisheries.

Coming up

4-5/6 Launch of the Seaglow Project: LIFE staff will attend the kick-off meeting of the Seaglow Project, along with staff from its Danish member FSK PO. Seaglow is a 16-partners initiative focusing on decarbonisation solutions for small-scale fisheries, including alternative engines, fuel, power sources (wind, electricity etc.), hull designs, antifouling etc. . LIFE’s role is to lead on delivering communications outputs, including disseminating results and lessons learned. 

13/6 First meeting with the EU FPC Aquaculture and Fisheries Taskforce: LIFE will explore potential synergies with the Aquaculture and Fisheries Taskforce of the EU Food Policy Coalition. The aim is to foster the transition to sustainable and fair food systems by joining forces with grassroots social movements, farmers organisations, trade unions, think tanks, scientific and research groups. 

13/6 Meeting with the Commission on wind farms: LIFE staff will meet with DG Mare Unit A.3 – Blue Economy Sectors, Aquaculture and Maritime Spatial Planning to discuss how small-scale fishers’ concerns can be taken into account when delivering on targets for off-shore renewable energy generation, especially from wind farms, and how impacts on small-scale fisheries, fish stocks and the marine environment can be minimised.   

26-28/6 Cod event and BOD meeting: LIFE Baltic members will convene in Brussels in late June for the Baltic Sea AC Executive Committee and to take part in an event to be organised by LIFE on the theme “Baltic Sea Emergency, 5 Years on from the Cod Closure: Emergency Becomes the New Normal”.  5 years after closing the cod fishery, emergency measures applied have not been effective in restoring cod stocks.  They will also attend LIFE’s Board of Directors’ meeting, which will focus on the identity and characteristics of small-scale fisheries, as well as on more routine internal administrative and policy matters.

Get in touch: communications@lifeplatform.eu