LIFE-Plattform

Nachrichten über faire Fischerei, gesunde Meere und lebendige Fischereigemeinden

8/10 LIFE Board of Directors meet to discuss direction for 2025/2026

The Secretariat updated the Board of Directors (BOD) the most recent on developments, with a focus on the upcoming Small-Scale Fisheries Implementation Dialogue and LIFE’s role in it. This round-table is an integral part of the EU Commissioner’s Mission, and is scheduled for November 24. For LIFE, it highlights important political capital and an important not to be missed opportunity. A key highlight of the meeting was the approval of the application of the Norwegian Association “Norges Kystfiskarlag” as Associate Members, further strengthening LIFE’s representation in Northern Europe. Recommendations for responding to the issue of a Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council were also agreed alongside the Make Fishing Fair Roadmap, with key priorities and format of a call to action that will be discussed during a dedicated event in Brussels on the 17 of November.

The upcoming Elective General Assembly and enhancing LIFE’s engagement within the Advisory Councils were also discussed. LIFE’s BOD remains committed to advancing the voice and rights of small-scale fishers across Europe, with renewed energy and solidarity.

8/10 New members on board: small-scale fishers from Norway join LIFE 

LIFE is pleased to welcome Norges Kystfiskarlag, representing Norway’s small-scale fishers, as a new member of the network. With over 400 vessels committed to low-impact, sustainable fishing, Norges Kystfiskarlag brings valuable experience and a strong voice from Norway’s coastal communities. Their membership strengthens cooperation across the North Sea region, enhancing joint efforts toward fair, sustainable, and resilient fisheries management in Europe’s northern waters.

13/10-17/10 LIFE at Ocean Week 2025

LIFE actively participated in this year’s EU Ocean Week which took place in the European Parliament, engaging in key debates on sustainable fisheries, equitable funding, and community-based ocean governance.

Brian O’Riordan, LIFE Policy Advisor, joined the panel of an event on EU funding organised by ClientEarth alongside Seas At Risk and BirdLife to discuss the urgent need to rethink EU fisheries subsidies under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The initiative was hosted by French MEP Yon Courtin, and the discussion highlighted how current funding through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) continues to favour large-scale industrial fleets, calling instead for fair and sustainable financing that supports small-scale, low-impact fishers and healthy marine ecosystems.

Praising the Communty-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, LIFE emphasised that for small-scale fishers to benefit from sectoral support going forward, three prerequisite conditions need to be met: 

• Recognition of their strategic socio-economic role in EU fisheries with the political will to support them;
• Targeted aid/ Small-scale Fisheries action plan and a ring fenced budget; and
• A fit for purpose aid delivery system taking the special characteristics of SSF into account 

LIFE staff also attended an event organised by Blue Marine and Oceano Azul, hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, which focused on community engagement in the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The event highlighted successful examples from across Europe and reaffirmed the importance of involving local fishers and coastal communities in achieving the EU’s goal of protecting 30% of its seas by 2030. It featured testimonies from fishers from mainland Portugal, Greece, and Italy, and included an address by EU Commissioner Costas Kadis.

Finally, LIFE participated in the FishSec event “Small Fish, Big Impact: Time for Ecosystem-Based Management,” chaired by MEP Isabella Lövin. The discussion underscored the crucial role of small pelagic species such as sprat, herring, and sandeel in maintaining marine ecosystem health and called for their sustainable, ecosystem-based management across Europe.

In parallel, LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, attended the European Foundations for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (EFSAF) gathering, joining civil society actors working toward a fair and sustainable agri-food transition. Her participation helped align small-scale fisheries priorities with regenerative food movements and explore synergies between ocean and land-based communities for resilient, nature-positive food systems.

Through these engagements, LIFE continues to advocate for sustainability, fairness, and community participation at the heart of EU ocean and fisheries policies.

16/10 LIFE Responds to the EC Proposal for Baltic Sea Fishing Opportunities 2026

On 16 October, LIFE attended the European Parliament’s PECH Committee, where the European Commission presented its proposal for 2026 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities.

LIFE welcomes the proposal as a step toward stock recovery, but warns that the small-scale coastal fishery (SSCF) — which represents 92% of the fleet and 77% of fishing employment — continues to bear a disproportionate share of the recovery burden. LIFE calls for quota cuts to be directed toward the industrial pelagic fleet, which dominates Baltic catches and supplies fishmeal largely for export, while maintaining limited SSCF access and addressing ecological pressures such as prey depletion and unmanaged predators.

Following the Council’s decision, LIFE expresses deep disappointment. Ministers allocate nearly 97% of the total Baltic commercial catch to herring and sprat, most destined for fishmeal and export — a choice that favours short-term industrial gains over ecosystem recovery and the survival of coastal fisheries.

Despite encouraging signals from Commissioner Costas Kadis, who prioritises reversing the decline in the Baltic, the Council’s actions fall short. The 45% increase in the sprat quota, based on uncertain scientific assumptions, risks repeating past mistakes and undermines fragile stocks.

LIFE continues to call for prudence and fairness in Baltic fisheries management — to rebuild ecosystems, restore livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for small-scale fishers.

22/10 LIFE members excluded from market as they lack MSC certification

When one of our members went to deliver herring to a local processor, they received bad news. The supermarket chain that they supplied would now only accept fish that came from trawlers because they were MSC certified. After journalists reported on the story there have been further discussions on creating a solution but at present fishing with selective, low impact methods means they are excluded from the market. This highlights how important LIFE’s work to establish a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for small-scale fisheries is key for their viability.

31/10 LIFE follows up with the Commission and ICES regarding scientific advice

In a continuation of the dialogue that we began in May with a Schreiben to Commissioner Costas Kadis, LIFE has recommended that the request from the EU for scientific advice on the management of fish stocks is adjusted so that the models used for advice aim to provide moreand larger fish. 

With the 5 year Framework Partnership Agreement between the Commission and ICES due to expire next year and the upcoming discussions regarding the Annual Grant Agreement we see an opportunity to improve the basis upon which management takes its decisions and thereby implements the Common Fisheries Policy more successfully.

As we have seen in the recent discussions on Baltic quotas, the interpretation of ICES advice has become a key part of the negotiations while the need for rebuilding advice is long overdue.

We make two recommendations for immediate improvements to the scientific advice. Firstly, mixed unsorted catches from the industrial fleet should be controlled by eDNA when landings exceed 1 tonne. This would improve data quality by accurately recording bycatch and species composition. Secondly, thresholds should be revised so that stocks are kept to at least 40% of their original size while fishing on small pelagic species and prey stocks should be limited so as to improve biodiversity and ecosystem health.

23-24/10 – 29th Meeting of the Member States Expert Group on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSEG) in Limassol, Cyprus.

Earlier this year, LIFE was accepted as an observer to the MSEG — a forum where Member States exchange knowledge and experiences on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). LIFE attended this meeting remotely in its observer capacity.

A significant part of the discussions focused on the implementation dialogue held in July, the supporting studies, and the future revision of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). As outlined in the Ocean Pact, the European Commission plans to propose an “Ocean Act”, which will include a revision of the MSPD and an initiative on ocean observation. Consequently, much of the meeting was dedicated to engaging with Member States on the forthcoming MSPD/Ocean Act revision.

Energy Transition Partnership: next steps

The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) process to develop contributions for a future Roadmap for the Energy Transition in Europe is reaching a crucial and decisive stage.

Following numerous meetings throughout the year with both the SSF Working Group and the wider Support Group, the SSF Working Group has finalised its sectoral recommendations for the Energy Transition. These have been submitted to DG MARE and the ETP Assistance Mechanism.

The entire Support Group is now discussing the joint recommendations, which will highlight the points of convergence across different sectors. The final document is expected to be published by December.

LIFE Baltic Coordinator Interviewed by Swedish Radio on Salmon Bycatch

LIFE’s Baltic and North Sea Coordinator, Christian Tsangarides, was recently interviewed by a Swedish Radio on the issue of salmon bycatch in the Baltic Sea.

Christian explained LIFE’s mission as an organisation that unites small-scale fishers and members committed to low-impact, environmentally responsible fishing. He highlighted that up to 100,000 salmon may be caught as bycatch in the Baltic each year — a figure that, while uncertain and based on older estimates, underscores the urgent need for better data and monitoring.

He noted that new tools such as environmental DNA (eDNA) could play a key role in improving knowledge on salmon bycatch and assessing whether it poses a threat to wild salmon populations. eDNA works by analysing genetic material shed by organisms into their environment, allowing scientists to identify species, support stock assessments, and even trace illegal or unreported catches without the need for direct capture.

The interview also features the perspective of Dennis Bergman, a Swedish small-scale fisher, who explains why salmon is so vital to small-scale fisheries and coastal communities across the Baltic region.

Demnächst:

4-5/11 Helsinki, Finland – Energy Transition in Fisheries, from visions to action: The Conference on Energy Transition in Fisheries brings together Northern European stakeholders to define concrete actions for a decarbonization of the fisheries sector.

17/11 Brussels, Belgium – Via their Make Fishing Fair campaign, LIFE and Blue Ventures bring together 45 fishers from 17 countries across Europe to meet with EU Commissioner Costas Kadis, MEPs and stakeholders to present their priorities and demands for resilient, fair, and profitable small-scale fisheries.

17-18/11 Viimsi,Tallinn, Estonia – Baltic Sea Regional Forum for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change: the Forum will have a special focus on the Baltic region and bring together regional and local leaders, Mission Ocean Charter Signatories, policymakers, experts, and project practitioners to share best practices in climate adaptation and resilience. 

24/11 Brussels, Belgium – Implementation Dialogue on Small-Scale Fisheries – the European Commission will host an Implementation Dialogue on Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF), bringing together stakeholders to discuss progress and next steps in advancing the SSF sector across Europe. The meeting aims to ensure effective implementation of policies supporting small-scale fisheries.

Nachrichten über faire Fischerei, gesunde Meere und lebendige Fischereigemeinden

2/9 Baltic Quota Proposals 2026: LIFE Calls for Fairer Burden-Sharing on Quota Cuts to Protect Small-Scale Fisheries

The European Commission has proposed a total Baltic Sea quota of 295,000 tonnes for 2026, over 96% of which is concentrated in herring and sprat for the pelagic fleet. LIFE warns that the steepest cuts — salmon (-27%), western Baltic cod (-84%) and spring-spawning herring (-50%) — fall on the small-scale coastal sector, which makes up 92% of the fleet but is already struggling after a 36% fall in the value of catches between 2018 and 2022.

LIFE calls for a fairer and more balanced approach: maintaining quotas closer to 2025 TACs, reintroducing derogations for vessels under 12m with passive gears, focusing reductions on industrial pelagic fisheries that supply fishmeal for non-EU markets, and improving monitoring of unrecorded bycatch. Without these adjustments, the Commission’s plan risks undermining vulnerable small-scale fishers rather than addressing the true drivers of stock decline. 

3/9 LIFE on the Panel at European Parliament Conference “Baltic Sea Bankruptcy”

On 3 September, LIFE took part in the European Parliament conference “Baltic Sea Bankruptcy – a changed climate, broken economy and ecosystem”, hosted by MEP Isabella Lövin, Vice-Chair of the SEArica Intergroup. The event brought together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to discuss how climate change, ecosystem collapse and flawed fisheries management are undermining the Baltic’s resilience.

LIFE’s Baltic and North Sea Coordinator, Christian Tsangarides, joined the panel, stressing the urgent need for a fairer, more balanced approach to fisheries management that recognises the role of small-scale fishers in sustaining coastal communities and rebuilding the sea’s ecological health. LIFE underlined that solutions must focus on restoring fish stocks, ensuring equitable burden-sharing, strengthening the robustness of ICES advice, and addressing the imbalance whereby cuts consistently fall on small-scale fisheries while pelagic fleets targeting herring and sprat remain largely untouched. Only by tackling these challenges head-on can the long-term socio-economic and ecological sustainability of the Baltic Sea be secured.

9/9 LIFE at the Economist’s World Ocean Summit Europe

On 9 September, LIFE Senior Advisor Jeremy Percy attended the World Ocean Summit Europe in Cascais, Portugal, convened by the Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative. Building on outcomes from the UN Ocean Conference and following earlier summits in Tokyo and Lisbon, the event gathered policymakers, investors, industry leaders, scientists and NGOs to shape Europe’s role in future ocean governance and the sustainable blue economy.

In a forum dominated by discussions on technology, mega funds, investment returns and the broader “blue economy,” traditional fisheries were largely absent from the agenda. As one of the very few fishermen in the room, Jeremy Percy brought that perspective to the table, highlighting the realities and challenges facing the sector during his panel intervention. Despite limited speaking time, he was able to underline the importance of small-scale fisheries in any sustainable ocean strategy. His presence served as a timely reminder that, amid the focus on finance and innovation, fishing communities must not be overlooked in the conversation about the future of our seas.

18-19/9 “LIFE President Gwen Pennarun Brings Small-Scale Fishers’ Voice to Les Assises de la Pêche et de la Mer”

On 18–19 September, LIFE President Gwen Pennarun took part in the 15th edition of Les Assises de la Pêche et de la Mer in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France’s leading fishing port and seafood hub. For over a decade, this annual gathering has been a key forum for reflection and debate on the future of the fisheries and seafood sector.

Gwen Pennarun used the occasion to underline LIFE’s concerns about the latest ICES assessments for sea bass, which appear far removed from fishers’ observations. He also raised alarm over the recent CRPM deliberation on “four-panel bottom trawls,” which in practice are pelagic trawls operating in coastal waters, with serious implications for ecosystems and small-scale fisheries. On the opening day, he also engaged with IFSEA students, presenting LIFE’s work at local, regional and EU levels, and discussing how to empower fishers to co-manage their fishing grounds and secure fair and sustainable prices. His contributions ensured that the voice of small-scale fishers — and the future of those training to join the sector — were central to the discussions.

23/9 PECH Committee Challenges New EU Budget Proposal, and the €2bn Reserved for Fisheries 

The PECH Committee meeting saw a meeting with Commissioner Costas Kadis defending the EU budget – the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for the next period – 2028-34. Within the new MFF, there is no dedicated fisheries fund as such. Rather, in the main, fisheries will have to apply for funding under new “National and Regional Partnership Plans” (NRPP), where the minimum amount reserved for fisheries is stated to be   €2 billion over the 7 year period. 

The proposal came under fire from MEPs across the political spectrum, who criticised it as a drastic reduction compared to the € 6 billion under the current EMFAF. Several MEPs also criticised the NRPP approach as “renationalising the CFP”. Despite assurances that €2 billion was only a minimum allocation and part of a reorganisation of funds, the Commissioner struggled to convince MEPs and at times to respond to their concerns.

Director Stylianos Mitolidis (DG MARE) clarified that the new budget shifts from “prescribed eligibility” to a “needs and performance” basis, applying the principle of “do no harm.” Decarbonisation, green transition, and sectoral development will fall under the EU Competitiveness Fund, while most fisheries financing would flow through National and Regional Partnership Plans. However, the move sparked fears of renationalisation: how to ensure a level playing field if some Member States modernise their fleets while others do not, or between coastal and landlocked states? Several MEPs also raised the lack of stakeholder involvement in shaping the new framework.

Interventions by MEPs Isabella Lövin, Luke Ming Flanagan, and Thomas Bajada highlighted broader concerns. Lövin drew attention to the dire state of EU seas — from warming Mediterranean waters to the crisis in the Baltic — and asked how support would deliver on environmental commitments. Flanagan and Carmen Crespo warned of misplaced priorities, pointing out that while rearmament budgets are rising five-fold, agriculture is cut by 30% and fisheries by 60%, undermining food security and food sovereignty.

Beyond the fund, Kadis flagged three main priorities: the situation in the Baltic and the Mediterranean, the upcoming CFP evaluation, and the Energy Transition Roadmap for 2026. On the Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council, he expressed strong support, though it remains unclear whether its establishment is tied to the CFP revision.

For a deeper, more detailed LIFE analysis of the proposed funding shift, including how small-scale fisheries might fare under the new architecture, read our dedicated article. 

Other News

African Artisanal Fishers Commended by FAO for Contribution to Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems

 African Confederation of Professional Organisations of Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA) has been selected by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in recognition of its contribution to deliver sustainable aquatic food systems. A recognition ceremony will take place at FAO headquarters on October 15, 2025, as part of the FAO 80th Anniversary celebrations, to be held during the FAO World Food Forum 2025.

Small-scale Fisheries Feature Big in Irish Sea Fisheries Board Annual Report, but Present Several Paradoxes

The report highlights that the SSF sector, comprising all vessels under 12 meters regardless of gear type, represents the numerical heart of Irish fishing with 1,164 active vessels – 84% of the total active fleet. These predominantly family-owned operations, scattered along Ireland’s extensive coastline, serve as economic anchors for remote coastal communities where alternative employment opportunities remain scarce.

Despite representing just 7% of the fleet’s total engine power and 25% of gross tonnage, the SSF sector punches well above its weight in employment terms, providing 974 full-time equivalent positions – a remarkable 56% of all national FTEs in the fishing sector. This statistic underscores the labour-intensive nature of inshore operations and their crucial role in maintaining the social fabric of coastal Ireland.

One of the SSF sector’s strongest attributes lies in its fuel efficiency, making it a strategic option for energy transition to low carbon production. Small potting vessels demonstrated remarkable efficiency at 358 litres per tonne landed – a stark contrast to the 1,100+ litres required by larger demersal trawlers.

In 2023 the sector experienced an 11% decline in revenue and a 9% drop in Gross Value Added (GVA) compared to 2022.  However, it simultaneously achieved a spectacular 180% increase in gross profit to €10.9 million.

The high proportion of unpaid labour in SSF operations – 41% of vessels reported having at least one unpaid male worker – highlights the family-based nature of many operations. While this provides operational flexibility and helps maintain viability during challenging periods, it also raises questions about fair compensation and social protection for family members contributing to fishing operations.

Planetary Health Check 2025: 7 out of 9 Critical Earth System Boundaries have been Breached

The nine boundaries together form Earth’s operating system, the interconnected life-support processes that must stay within safe limits to keep humanity safe and the natural world resilient. Scientists monitor these boundaries through key measures, much like vital signs in a health check, to track the planet’s condition. The findings point to accelerating deterioration and growing risk of irreversible change, including a higher risk of tipping points. 

In 2025, scientists warn that yet another “planetary boundary,” ocean acidification, has been crossed.

Findings of the European Parliament Study on the Baltic Multiannual Plan: Critical Status of Key Fish Stocks

On September 4, the findings of the study commissioned by the EP on the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward were presented. The study reveals “that four of the seven Baltic fish stocks managed under the MAP—both cod stocks (Eastern Baltic cod – EBC, and Western Baltic cod – WBC) and the open-sea herring stocks (Central Baltic herring – CBH, and Western Baltic spring spawning herring – WBSSH)—are critically endangered, with spawning stock biomass far below the limit under which the reproductive capacity of fish population is impaired (Blim)”. It concludes that “the MAP has largely failed to achieve its objective of restoring and maintaining harvested species populations above MSY levels. Overfishing has pushed many stocks into low productivity states, where critically low biomass impairs their reproductive capacity, leading to a decoupling of stock size from fishing pressure and making recovery difficult even with reduced fishing efforts."

Demnächst

13-19/10 Brussels, Belgium – Ocean week 2025 – A week of debates, exhibitions and other events to celebrate Europe’s seas and explore how to rebuild their abundance.  Events include: 

• 14/10 in the EP The next MFF: Rethinking EU funding for a healthy ocean future (LIFE Policy Advisor Brian O’Riordan on the panel) 
• 15/10 in the EP: Community Engagement in MPA Designation and Management

14/10 Ljubljana, Slovenia. MedAC Focus Group on Small-Scale Fisheries meeting. Registration by 7 October . 

27-28/10 Brussels, Belgium –  The EU Council will make the final decision on Baltic Sea fishing quotas for the year 2026

Nachrichten über faire Fischerei, gesunde Meere und lebendige Fischereigemeinden

1/7 Stärkung der Fischerei und der maritimen Raumplanung: LIFE bei wichtigen EU-Dialogen

LIFE nahm an der dritten Sitzung der Gemeinsamen Sondergruppe der Mitgliedstaaten zum EU-Aktionsplan teil Schutz und Wiederherstellung von Meeresökosystemen für eine nachhaltige und widerstandsfähige Fischerei und am folgenden Tag in der Umsetzungsdialog zur maritimen Raumplanung (MSP) unter dem Vorsitz des Kommissars für Fischerei und Ozeane Costas Kadis. 

Der Aktionsplan war Teil des im Februar 2023 veröffentlichten Maßnahmenpakets "Pakt für Fischerei und Ozeane" und soll die Nachhaltigkeit und Widerstandsfähigkeit des Fischerei- und Aquakultursektors der EU verbessern. Er soll eine konsequentere Umsetzung der EU-Umweltpolitik und der Gemeinsamen Fischereipolitik mit ihren drei Säulen der Nachhaltigkeit - Umwelt, Wirtschaft und Soziales - ermöglichen. Der Umsetzungsdialog zur MRO ist der erste von zwei Dialogen dieser Art, die in diesem Jahr organisiert werden. Der zweite ist für den 24. November angesetzt und wird sich auf die kleine Fischerei konzentrieren. Kommissar Kadis hat die Aufgabe, jedes Jahr zwei solcher Dialoge zu organisieren. 

Als Vertreter von LIFE wies der politische Berater Brian O'Riordan auf die Marginalisierung der Kleinfischer hin, da Offshore-Energie und Aquakulturen immer mehr an Bedeutung gewinnen. Er warnte davor, die Ozeane als unbegrenzten Raum zu betrachten, der unter konkurrierenden Interessen aufgeteilt werden kann, und betonte die kumulativen Auswirkungen auf die Ökosysteme sowie die Notwendigkeit, einen klaren Kompromiss zwischen Energie und Ernährungssicherheit zu finden.

Um diesen Herausforderungen zu begegnen, schlug LIFE die Einrichtung einer Fischereiregenerationszone innerhalb der 12-Meilen-Zone vor. Diese Zone wäre für Erhaltungs- und Regenerationsprojekte vorgesehen, während gleichzeitig Raum für die kleine Fischerei mit geringer Auswirkung im Rahmen des Co-Managements reserviert würde. Eine solche Initiative würde dazu beitragen, den Druck der großen Sektoren der Blauen Wirtschaft auszugleichen, die Meeresökosysteme zu stärken und eine faire Zukunft für die SSF zu sichern.

10/7 Ein partizipatives Siegel für die kleine Fischerei: LIFEs PGS-Lenkungsgruppe trifft sich in London

Jeremy Percy, leitender LIFE-Berater, ist mit der Leitung eines LIFE-Projekts zur Einführung eines auf europäische Kleinfischer zugeschnittenen partizipativen Garantiesystems (PGS) beauftragt. Das PGS soll als lokal ausgerichteter Qualitätssicherungsmechanismus dienen, der nachhaltige, ethische Fischereipraktiken fördert und gleichzeitig Marktdifferenzierung und wirtschaftliche Vorteile für Kleinfischer schafft. Das PGS wurde von der IFOAM - der Bewegung für ökologische und regenerative Landwirtschaft - für ökologische Kleinbauern entwickelt, und dieses Projekt baut auf diesem erfolgreichen Modell auf und passt es an die SSF an. Das Projekt wird von Patagonia unterstützt, dem Unternehmen für Outdoor-Bekleidung, das sich für die Rettung unseres Heimatplaneten einsetzt.

Bei dem Treffen in London kam die Lenkungsgruppe des Projekts zusammen: Marta Cavallé, LIFE-Exekutivsekretärin, Brian O'Riordan, LIFE-Politikberater, Caroline Bennett, Gründerin von Sole of Discretion, und Jerry Percy, LIFE-Senior-Berater. Das Treffen wurde einberufen, um drei Dokumente zu erörtern, die Jerry Percy in den letzten Monaten erstellt hatte: einen Entwurf für einen Geschäftsplan, einen Fahrplan für die Umsetzung und eine detaillierte operative Strategie für die Einführung eines PGS. Das Projekt scheint auf einem guten Weg und in guten Händen zu sein. 

14/7 Partnerschaft für die Energiewende (ETP) 5. Webinar

LIFE nahm als Koordinator für die kleine Fischerei an zwei Webinaren teil, die von der Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) organisiert wurden. Das erste war ein Meinungsaustausch mit den Generaldirektionen GROW und MOVE der Europäischen Kommission, um deren Pläne und Initiativen im Zusammenhang mit der Energiewende besser zu verstehen, darunter die "Europäische Strategie für die maritime Industrie" und die "EU-Strategie 2025 für Häfen und den Investitionsplan für nachhaltigen Verkehr (STIP)". Im Mittelpunkt des zweiten Workshops stand ein Meinungsaustausch mit den Beiräten. LIFE erläuterte, dass die handwerkliche Fischerei zwar geringe Kohlenstoffemissionen aufweist, aber in ihrer Zukunft großen Gefahren ausgesetzt ist, darunter begrenzte Ressourcen und geringe Rentabilität, was die Notwendigkeit eines speziellen Aktionsplans begründet, um ihren Platz in der Energiewende zu sichern. Die verschiedenen ACs präsentierten unterschiedliche Perspektiven auf den Fahrplan, indem sie ihn Sektor für Sektor behandelten. So stellten sowohl der NWWAC als auch der MEDAC in Frage, ob es sinnvoll sei, zwischen kleiner und großer Fischerei zu unterscheiden. Sie wiesen darauf hin, dass sich viele Empfehlungen überschneiden und dass die Definitionen unklar bleiben..

17/7 LIFE-Verwaltungsrat überprüft Politik und strategische Prioritäten

Der LIFE-Verwaltungsrat kam zusammen, um ein breites Spektrum politischer und organisatorischer Fragen zu erörtern. Zu Beginn der Sitzung wurde über den Ozeanpakt, die UN-Ozeankonferenz und andere aktuelle und bevorstehende politische Ereignisse berichtet. Anschließend erörterten die Mitglieder die Entwicklungen im Zusammenhang mit das dänische Fischereigesetz, wobei Lehren aus dem Gesetzgebungsverfahren gezogen werden.

Es wurden strategische Ansätze für die Position von LIFE bei der laufenden Bewertung der Gemeinsamen Fischereipolitik (GFP) erörtert. Der Verwaltungsrat prüfte auch neue Anträge auf Mitgliedschaft und schloss mit aktuellen Informationen zu finanziellen Angelegenheiten. 

Dieses Treffen unterstrich das Engagement von LIFE, die Fischereipolitik sowohl auf nationaler als auch auf europäischer Ebene zu gestalten und gleichzeitig seine organisatorische Basis zu stärken.

18/7 LIFE und Partner betonen die Notwendigkeit einer Reform der wissenschaftlichen Beratung für die Fischerei in der EU und im Vereinigten Königreich

LIFE hat zusammen mit 29 Organisationen ein Briefing gebilligt, in dem erhebliche Mängel in den wissenschaftlichen Gutachten für das Fischereimanagement der EU und des Vereinigten Königreichs aufgezeigt werden. Das derzeitige System, das vom ICES geleitet wird, lässt häufig rechtliche Verpflichtungen und Nachhaltigkeitsziele außer Acht, so dass die Fischer mit schrumpfenden Quoten dastehen und weitere Schließungen riskieren. Das Briefing fordert eine vorsorgliche, ökosystembasierte Beratung, die die Erholung der Bestände gewährleistet, die Meeresökosysteme schützt und die Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen den Klimawandel stärkt. Das Briefing wurde bei einem Treffen mit der GD Mare der Europäischen Kommission vorgestellt und von LIFE, Nichtregierungsorganisationen und politischen Entscheidungsträgern diskutiert. Es ist ein Beitrag zu einer breiteren wissenschaftlichen Debatte, in der neuere Forschungsergebnisse ein "Systemversagen" im Fischereimanagement der EU beschreiben.

22/8 LIFE fordert die schwedische Regierung auf, Ungerechtigkeiten in den EU-Fischereikontrollvorschriften zu beseitigen

LIFE hat die schwedische Regierung aufgefordert, als Baltfish-Vorsitzende, eine gemeinsame Empfehlung für eine eDNA-basierte Überwachung auszuarbeiten, um ein faires und transparentes Fischereimanagement zu gewährleisten.

Nach der EU-Fischereikontrollverordnung von 2024 müssen kleine Fischereibetriebe ihre Fänge innerhalb strenger Grenzen von 10% (20% in der Ostsee) melden. In der Zwischenzeit sind große Industrieschiffe, die gemischte Fänge für Fischmehlfabriken anlanden, von der Meldepflicht befreit, wenn sie sieben "gelistete Häfen" anlaufen (sechs in Dänemark, einer in Lettland).

Dieses System benachteiligt in ungerechter Weise kleine Flotten, die Fisch für den menschlichen Verzehr fangen, und begünstigt gleichzeitig die großen Betreiber, was Nachhaltigkeit und Verantwortlichkeit untergräbt.

Presse, Berichte und andere interessante Lektüre

PECH-Ausschuss Forschung: [Veröffentlichung] Der Mehrjahresplan für die Ostsee. Ein Wandel im Management erforderlich

FAO SSF Richtlinien Newsletter - UNOC3: Wenn die Stimme der Kleinfischer auf der ganzen Welt gehört wird

Bericht über den Workshop in Sri Lanka, Februar 2025:  Stärkung der Zusammenarbeit und des Aufbaus von Kapazitäten in der kleinen Fischerei, 24. bis 26. Februar 2025

Neues Fischereigesetz in Dänemark: Vorschlag zur Einrichtung einer Sperrzone für Trawler in Küstengebieten https://lifeplatform.eu/denmark-charts-a-new-course-quota-security-for-coastal-fishers-gains-ground/ 

Plastikverschmutzung und die Bedrohung durch den Transport von Plastikpellets: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/12/nurdles-kerala-india-microplastic-pellets-pollution-fishing-environment-law 

Demnächst

9/9 Brüssel, Belgien - Parlament / SEARICA: Konkurs der Ostsee - ein verändertes Klima, eine kaputte Wirtschaft und ein kaputtes Ökosystem

9/9 Cascais, Portugal - Weltozeangipfel:  Dialog über verschiedene Themen, darunter die Widerstandsfähigkeit der Küsten, Tiefseebergbau, nationale Sicherheit und Verteidigung, biologische Vielfalt der Meere und Meerestechnologie.

23/24/9 Nyborg, Dänemark - Konferenz der dänischen EU-Präsidentschaft zur Horizon Europe Mission "Wiederherstellung unserer Ozeane und Gewässer"

30/9 Stockholm, Schweden - Unsere Ostsee-Ministerkonferenz