Najnovije vijesti

LIFE, together with the #RestoreNature Coalition Calls on all Members of the European Parliament and EU Member States to Support the Final Adoption of the Nature Restoration Law.
In view of the upcoming vote on November 29th in the ENVI committee on the Nature Restauration Law, LIFE has joined forces with a coalition of organisations to share a Business Statement to urge all Members of the European Parliament and EU Member States to support the final adoption of the Nature Restoration Law. Read […]

Getting the Story Straight and Envisioning a Fair Future for Small Scale Fisheries in Europe.
Brussels 21 November 2023. Today, Tuesday November 21, is World Fisheries Day, marking the twenty fifth occasion of this celebration since it was conceived in 1997. To mark this event, and to celebrate the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), LIFE members from 8 countries from the Baltic to the Mediterranean met […]

The Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) raises concerns over the South Coast Renewable Energy DMAP
Article initially published in the Marine Times in Ireland early November 2023. Member of LIFE platform, the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) has raised significant concerns over the South Coast Renewable Energy DMAP in a public consultation held this month. In a submission to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), IIMRO […]

Interview with Kazimir Bogović from the Association of Small Coastal Fishermen of the Adriatic, LIFE’s new member association from Croatia
Recently the “Association of Small Coastal Fishermen of the Adriatic” became a member of LIFE Platform. Last week we chatted with Kazimir, one of the small-scale fishers of this organisation in Croatia to get to know them a bit better. November 14th, 2023 1.First of all, Welcome to LIFE! We are thrilled to welcome your […]

Documentary “Sentinels of the Mediterranean” now available online
Since 2017, Together for the Med has brought together 46 organisations through 15 projects to reduce fishing pressure on marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean sea. Amongst this network are NGOs, International Organisations, research centres, private companies, networks or foundations. LIFE is a proud member of this alliance committed to reducing the pressures on Mediterranean biodiversity. […]

Gwen Pennarun, President of the Brittany Handliners Association, considers 2023 and looks towards the future
Ken Kawahara, Secretary of the Brittany Handliners Association recently interviewed Gwenn Pennarun, President of the same association to reflect on the tough fishing season so far. What is your assessment of the 2023 fishing season? 2023 has been a particularly difficult year. The fishermen in our association depend mainly on sea bass, which we start […]

New two-year programme for SSF Forum announced
The 2023–2024 programme for the Small-Scale Fishers’ Forum (SSF Forum), initiative promoted by the Friends of SSF, is now out, with the next season of activities promising to be very active as face-to-face events return to the agenda. The latest programme is the result of a ground-breaking consultative exercise held in March 2023, which saw […]
LIFE and ClientEarth take Dutch authorities to court in the Hague
On September 20th, 2023 ClientEarth and LIFE lawyers were in The Hague administrative court in a hearing against the Dutch Food and Consumer Safety Authority (NVWA) for failing to properly check the fish landings in their ports. The NVWA lack the resources to do their jobs, including investigating violations of EU fisheries control rules. In […]

Nature in the Balance: EU’s Nature Restoration Bill hangs by a thread
Nature in the Balance: EU’s Nature Restoration Bill hangs by a thread On the occasion of World Ocean’s Day, the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE Platform) call for an ambitious European Nature Restauration Law. Halting the deterioration of our ecosystems and restoring their health together with the decarbonization of our economy to prevent further […]
LIFE’s Response to the European Commission’s “Pact for Fisheries and Oceans”
To meet its legal obligations to report on the implementation of the CFP (and the CMO) 10 years after its revision in 2013, and in line with the EU Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy requirements, the Commission launched on February 21st 2023 several Communications designed to open the way for improving the sustainability […]
Executive Secretary Marta Cavallé talks about her career and the future of SSF
March 8 was International Women’s Rights Day. What better time to talk to our new Executive Secretary Marta Cavallé about her career and the future of SSF? Can you tell us about yourself and how you became involved in working with Small-scale Fisheries (SSF) and in LIFE? My passion for the sea steered me towards […]

Wrong Gear, Wrong Place, Wrong Time: the perverse nature of high impact fishing
Members of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE Platform) aspire to fish in a low impact manner, to minimise their impact on the environment whilst maximising their socio-economic contributions to their communities. This approach is based on a sound environmental and economic logic: using the right gear, in the right place at the […]

From University to Fishing in Puruvesi: How Karoliina fell in love with fishing in a frozen lake in Finland
Barbara della Rovere Karoliina Lehtimaeki, a 27-year-old woman, could never have imagined taking up fishing as a profession. However, fate had other plans for her. It all started during the 2021 winter seining fishing season when her friend from university, who worked for the Snowchange Cooperative, asked her to help in cleaning vendace, a local […]
Los pescadores reclaman la creación de la reserva marina de Tramuntana de Mallorca.
Los pescadores artesanales profesionales del puerto de Sóller, situado en la famosa Sierra de la Tramuntana de Mallorca, llevan más de 10 años reclamando la creación de una reserva marina de interés pesquero en esta zona. El proyecto iniciado en 2006, se encuentra en un limbo administrativo del cual parece que no hay salida. […]
LIFE Calls for Implementation of Article 17 of CFP – Press release
Press release Brussels, February 9th, 2023 EMBARGOED UNTIL FRIDAY 10th February (8am) Subject: LIFE Calls for Implementation of Article 17 of CFP A Decade of Missed Opportunities: Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy at 10 Years A decade after its adoption, the European Commission is set to publish a report on the implementation of the Common Fisheries […]
Life’s call for implementation of article 17 – CFP
Thursday 9 February 2023 Dear Friends, Seize the Opportunity to Implement Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy: A necessary step towards Sustainable Fishing and Thriving Coastal Communities The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) Platform is a Europe-wide platform of 32 member associations from 15 Member States, representing around 10.000 small-scale fishers committed to […]
LIFE calls for a revision of the Baltic Sea MAP
This month, the European Parliament held a hearing on the status of the Multiannual Plan (MAP) for the Baltic Sea. Stakeholders from the region were invited to share their point of view and concerns, including LIFE who was represented by a presentation on small-scale fishermen in the Baltic Sea by Katarzyna Stepanowska. She gave details of the decline […]
It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over
Everything has a beginning and an end, and Brian O’ Riordan’s circle as Executive Secretary of LIFE came to an end last December, clearing the way for the very talented Marta Cavalle to take on the not-so-easy task of running a platform to give a voice to small-scale fishers. However, early retirement is never a […]
Neix la “Comunitat de pràctica de Foodnected a l’Empordà” per unir complicitats de pescadors artesanals, restaurants, cooperatives de consum i altres actors clau cap a sistemes alimentaris més justos i sostenibles en el territori
Una vintena de persones de l’Empordà, entre pescadors artesanals, xefs, restauradors, cooperatives de consum, del moviment d’Economia Solidaria, o de ONGs locals com “El Projecte Sepia” s’han reunit per constituir la “Comunitat de Pràctica Foodnected a l’Empordà”, una iniciativa impulsada per Low Impact Fishers of Europe i els seus membres Arts Menors Costa Brava, en […]
The “Foodnected Community of Practice in l’Empordà” is born to join forces of small-scale fishers, restaurants, community supported schemes and other key players towards fairer and more sustainable food systems in the territory
November 25th, 2022, Sant Martí Empúries (Catalunya, Spain) About twenty people of l’Empordà, including artisanal fishers, chefs, restaurateurs, community supported schemes, the Solidarity Economy movement, and local NGOs such as “The Sepia Project” have gathered together to form the “Foodnected Community of Practice in l’Empordà”, an initiative promoted by Low Impact Fishers of Europe and […]
Please Keep Eel Fisheries Open: save the European Eel and small-scale fishing communities
Open letter sent by e-mail to: Member states across the EU CC: to Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius Director General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Charlina Vitcheva BALTFISH, and The Scheveningen Group Dear Ministers Please Keep Eel Fisheries Open: save the European Eel and small-scale fishing communities We write to urge you […]
Call to Action: Better Implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy through a Differentiated Approach
In Europe, fishing provides an important source of food, social cohesion, livelihoods and economic activity in coastal areas. Fishing thus provides a socio-economic and cultural anchor for communities with few alternative options. Fishing and fishing communities also contribute to our collective cultural maritime heritage, to biocultural diversity and to our knowledge of the seas and […]
INTERVIEW WITH EMPESCA’T : A QUALITY BRAND AND DIRECT SALES SYSTEM TO OBTAIN A FAIR PRICE DRIVEN BY THE FISHERMEN OF L’ESCALA I L’ESTARTIT
In a port on the Costa Brava, north of Barcelona, the association Arts Menors Costa Brava, members of LIFE, understands that the sustainability of their profession does not lie in taking more catches from the sea, but in seeking a greater economic return on the existing ones, giving value to their work and their products. […]
The Hidden Costs of Business as Usual
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) responds to a recent report on subsidized trawling in the Mediterranean. This article was commissioned by Fishing News, and appeared in Fishing News (https://fishingnews.co.uk/) on August 4 2022. Producing food from the sea comes at a cost. In Europe, as in the rest of the world, the […]
LIFE on tour to southern Sweden
By Christian Tsangarides Since beginning in my role at the start of the year as Baltic and North Sea Coordinator for LIFE it has been my pleasure to get to know our members. With support from the Velux Foundation I went fishing in Ronneby with Bengt Larsson, a director at LIFE and active fishermen, and […]
Nothing about Us Without Us
art by: Iris Maertens At UNOC 2022 small-scale fishers and fishing community representatives from 6 continents made a Call to Action for inclusive ocean governance reform. Small-scale fishers: the most numerous ocean users The second UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 2022) hosted in Lisbon from 27 June to 1 July was all about the need to conserve […]
Bosco, el pescador más joven de Ciutadella, Menorca
En el año 2021, Bosco, nieto y hermano de pescadores artesanales de Ciutadella decidió comprar su primera barca de pesca y así convertirse en el pescador más joven de ese puerto de Menorca. Tiene 29 años, y después de siete años siendo marinero en la barca de su hermano, se animó a hacer el salto […]
Un nuevo plan de gestión para apoyar el futuro de la pesca artesanal en La Pitiüses
La cogestión ya es una realidad en un nuevo sitio del Mediterráneo. El pasado lunes 16 de mayo de 2022 se aprobó finalmente un Decreto por el que se establece un “Plan de Gestión para la Pesca Profesional Artesanal en las Aguas Interiores de las islas Pitiusas” en las Islas Baleares, en el que LIFE […]
LIFE replies to EU consultation on eel management
Earlier this year the EU sought advice and recommendations from stakeholders regarding eel management after ICES provided advice on the European eel stock in November 2021 recommending catches be halted. In response to this, LIFE has together with member organisations participated in developing a joint position through the Baltic Sea Advisory Council as well as publishing our […]
Meet Bosco, the youngest fisherman in Ciutadella, Menorca
Following a family tradition established by his grandfather and elder brother, 29-year-old Bosco, decided to buy his first fishing boat in 2021. This made him the youngest independent fisherman in Ciutadella in Menorca, Spain. After seven years as a crew member on his brother’s boat, he decided to take the leap that many fishers dream […]
No bread? Then let them eat cake! Fishing rights and small-scale fisheries
Historical injustices have deprived 70% of the European fishing fleet of fair and secure access to fishing quotas and fishing grounds. This fleet segment accounts for 50% of the fishing jobs at sea. Due to these injustices, the sector has to fall back on “non-quota” species and so is restricted to only 5% of the […]
Fisheries Producer Organisations for Small-scale Fishers: a vital step to take
One of the problems facing the small-scale fishing sector is a lack of dedicated representation in the official bodies of the profession. This is particularly the case in France where small-scale fishers are struggling to unite to defend their interests. For Bertrand Cazalet, Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Syndicat professionnel des pêcheurs petits métiers […]
Pityusic Island Fishers’ Guilds Launch a Joint Fisheries Committee to Promote Sustainable Fisheries
The Cofradías (fishing guilds) of Ibiza, Sant Antoni & Formentera, staff from the Ibiza and Formentera Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), and staff from Councils of Ibiza and Formentera recently announced the creation of the “Comisión de Pesca Pitiusa” or Piyiusic Fisheries Committee. The Pityusic (or Pine) islands (or Pityuses) form part of the Balearic […]
Fuel’s Rush In: Climate neutrality must not be jeopardised by response to a short-term energy crisis says Commissioner
Brussels 1 April 2022 The European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius responds quickly to another crisis in the fisheries sector but stresses that mitigating rising fuel and energy costs must not conflict with achieving Green Deal climate neutral targets. Increases in fuel and energy prices triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have […]
Wither the Baltic Cod? The Future Prospects for Baltic cod and those of small-scale fishers are closely linked.
Wither the Baltic Cod? The Future Prospects for Baltic cod and those of small-scale fishers are closely linked. Stockholm, 23 March 2022. The Fisheries Secretariat (FishSec), a Swedish non-profit organization advocating for sustainable fisheries at the EU and Baltic sea levels, is hosting an online event on March 24th to present its new report on […]
LIFE Fishers’ Forum
A Renewed Commitment: a decade on the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) renews its commitment to unite European small-scale fishers to achieve fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant communities. Brussels, 5 and 6 November 2021: Representatives of 26 organizations from 15 European countries attended a virtual “Fisher Forum” and General Assembly meeting organized by […]
SSF Forum: 2022 new programme launched
The GFCM and the Friends of SSF are pleased to announce the 2022 programme of the SSF Forum! Launched in 2020, the SSF Forum is a space where small-scale fishers from across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea come together to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and build their capacities to deal with the […]
Conserve the Eel, Preserve the Fishery, Save the Small-Scale Fishers
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) calls on the Council of Ministers not to institute a closure of all eel fishing in 2022, as recommended in the ICES Advice of November 4 2021. This is not needed; it would be counterproductive and would do more harm than good. Rather “smart measures” are needed to […]
European Parliament Fisheries Committee Discuss Small-Scale Fisheries: Don’t Treat Things that are Different in the Same Way.
Tuesday 30 November, Brussels. The Fisheries Committee responded to the “own initiative report” (INI) on “the small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives”. The report is being prepared by João Pimenta Lopes from the Left Group (GUE/NGL). The report is due to be completed by April 2022 and comes at a key […]
EU Holds Key To Just Transition to Low-Carbon, Low-Impact Fishing Industry – Report
Brussels, 26 October 2021. The EU and its member states must transition to a more ecologically, socially and economically sustainable fishing industry – and already have the means to do so, according to a new report published today. The report, How the EU can Transition to Low Environmental Impact, Low Carbon, Socially Just Fishing, published by […]
LIFE PARTICIPA EN LA PRIMERA JORNADA DEL DIA INTERNACIONAL DE LA MUJER RURAL EN BALEARES
El día 15 de octubre se celebra el Dia Internacional de la Mujer Rural y el Gobierno Balear se sumó a la celebración organizando la primera Jornada del Plan de Igualdad de las Islas Baleares (España). El sector primario está representado por mujeres del sector agrario, ganadero, pesquero y agroalimentario. De todos los subsectores, según […]
LIFE PARTICIPATES IN THE FIRST SEMINAR OF THE INTERNATIONAL RURAL WOMEN’S DAY IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS
The 15th of October is the International Rural Women’s Day, and the Balearic Government joined the celebration by organizing the first Day of the Equality Plan of the Balearic Islands (Spain). The primary sector is represented by women in the agricultural, livestock, fishing and agri-food sectors. Of all the sub-sectors, according to the statistics of […]
LIFE is hiring: Baltic and North Sea Regional Coordinator
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a European platform uniting small-scale fishers (SSF) to achieve fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant communities. LIFE is an organization of organizations from across Europe, providing a dedicated voice for its members, supporting them to organize regionally, and building their capacity at national and local level both […]
Please Give Baltic Cod and Small-scale Low Impact Fishing a Chance
Next week, on Tuesday 11 October, the Council of Fisheries Ministers will meet to discuss the allocation of fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2022. ICES advice on cod catches in the entire Baltic Sea for 2022 is a wake-up call and demands an appropriate response as a matter of urgency. This is something […]
Catalonian Congress of Sustainable Fisheries: Low Impact Fishers Meet in Lloret de Mar to Chart the Future
Catalan small-scale fishers commit to develop a label to highlight the quality and sustainability of their catch. They also demand access to bluefin tuna quota to enable them to reduce effort on pressure stocks like rockfish and lobster. Lloret de Mar, 19 Septembre 2021. The 1st Low Impact Fishing (Artes Menores) Congress brought together fishers […]
French Justice Rules Against Bluefin Tuna Quota Allocation Decision
Long awaited court victory for French and European small-scale fishermen. Port la Nouvelle, 29 July 2021, After a seemingly endless wait of more than four years, French justice has finally ruled in favour of the Union of Small-Scale Fishers from the Occitan Region (Syndicat professionnel des pêcheurs petits métiers d’Occitanie (SPMO)). A class action was […]
Annulation de l’arrêté de répartition du quota de thon rouge
Une victoire au long cours pour les pêcheurs petits métiers français et européens. Port la Nouvelle, le 29 juillet 2021 Après une attente interminable de plus de quatre ans, le Syndicat des pêcheurs petits métiers d’Occitanie (SPMO) et ses partenaires ont enfin obtenu gain de cause devant le Tribunal administratif de Montpellier. Ce recours collectif […]
The Pros and Cons of Creating Producer Organizations for Mediterranean Small-scale Fishers
Over 50 participants from the Mediterranean small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector, from Spain, France, Malta, Italy and Cyprus attended LIFE’s webinar last Friday 18th June. The theme was “The Pros and Cons of Crating Producer Organizations for Mediterranean Small-scale Fishers. The webinar was also attended by DG Mare. Fish Producer Organizations (FPOs) are described as the […]
SSF Forum : Promoting strong and innovative SSF value chains
The first workshop of the 2021 SSF Forum programme focuses on best practices to create competitive economic advantages for small-scale fisheries actors along the value chain. The workshop will consist of three sessions, focusing on strategies for adding value to small-scale fisheries products, such as voluntary labelling, direct selling, fish processing and packaging; and […]
Action en justice aux Pays-Bas pour fermer la porte à la pêche illégale
16 juin 2021 L’organisation de juristes spécialistes de l’environnement ClientEarth et la plateforme de pêcheurs à petite échelle Low Impact Fishers of Europe ont lancé une action en justice contre les autorités néerlandaises pour avoir laissé la porte grande ouverte aux fausses déclarations de captures de poissons et à la surpêche, en violation directe de […]
SE LLEVA A LOS TRIBUNALES LA ASIGNACIÓN INJUSTA DE CUOTAS DE ATÚN ROJO A LOS PESCADORES ARTESANALES – El recurso legal en Francia será finalmente escuchado
16 de junio de 2021, Port La Nouvelle, Francia. Fue el 12 de abril de 2017, ¡hace más de 4 años! cuando acudimos a los tribunales para impugnar la legalidad del mecanismo de asignación de la cuota de atún rojo a pequeña escala en Francia. Han sido cuatro largos años de espera para conocer […]
UNFAIR ALLOCATION OF BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTAS FOR SMALL SCALE FISHERS IS TAKEN TO COURT – Legal challenge in France will finally be heard
June 11 2021, Port La Nouvelle, France. It was on the 12 April 2017, more than 4 years ago! That’s when we went to court to challenge the legality of the allocation mechanism for the small-scale bluefin tuna quota in France. It has been four long years of waiting for the outcome of a class […]
Recours pour une Repartition Juste et Equitable du Quota de Thon Rouge ? Les pêcheurs petits métiers vont enfin savoir…
Port la Nouvelle, le 11 juin 2021 C’était le 12 avril 2017…plus de 4 ans déjà ! Plus de 4 ans après avoir saisi la justice pour contester la légalité de la clé de répartition du quota de thon rouge (Thunnus thynnus) petits métiers. Quatre longues années à attendre l’aboutissement d’un recours collectif porté par le […]
UN World Ocean’s Day : Celebrating the Oceans’ Life and Livelihoods
The winds of change are blowing: the fisheries sector needs to prepare for some coming storms, and to adapt to a carbon-free future to sustain ocean based life and fishing livelihoods. Food produced from the oceans provides an essential source of nutrition in the form of protein, minerals, vitamins and fats, meeting people’s food […]
Forum de la pêche artisanale: une opportunité pour les pêcheurs artisanaux d’échanger leurs expériences, de partager les bonnes pratiques et d’apprendre les uns des autres en mer Méditerranée et en mer Noire.
La CGPM annonce le lancement du programme du Forum SSF 2021 Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) est heureux d’annoncer le lancement du programme du Forum de la pêche artisanale (SSF) de la CGPM pour 2021, une initiative en grande partie due au travail du réseau «Friends of Small-Scale Fisheries» (Friends of SSF ou Amis […]
Small-scale Fisheries Forum: An opportunity for small-scale fishers to exchange experiences, share good practices and learn from one another in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
The GFCM announces launch of 2021 SSF Forum programme. The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is happy to announce the launch of the GFCM SSF University Programme for 2021, an initiative which is largely due to the work of the “Friends of Small-Scale Fisheries” (Friends of SSF) network in the GFCM. LIFE is a […]
Slow Food, Global Footprint Network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and GOB Menorca launch joint project to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems
Slow Food, Global Footprint Network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and GOB Menorca launch joint project to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems Italy, March 4th, 2021 – Foodnected, a new project designed to promote the transition to sustainable and fair food systems in the Mediterranean region, will be launched on March 10 […]
LIFE welcomes Antonis Petrou
LIFE welcomes Antonis Petrou, a Marne Biologist from Cyprus who works closely with the Pan Cypriot Association of Professional Coastal Fishermen, a member association of LIFE. Antonis recently joined the LIFE Team as Project Manager for a new project in Cyprus. The project aims to engage small scale low impact fishers in the co-management of […]
Promotion de la pêche durable aux îles Baléares : Anna Masdeu Lalanza rejoint l’équipe LIFE pour gerer cette nouvelle initiative.
Promotion de la pêche durable aux îles Baléares : Anna Masdeu Lalanza rejoint l’équipe LIFE pour gerer cette nouvelle initiative. Les Pêcheurs Européens à Faible Impact (Low Impact Fishers of Europe/ LIFE) se sont associés à la Fondation Marilles (https://marilles.org/en) pour lancer une nouvelle initiative, le “Programme de Pêche Durable” dans les îles Baléares. Ce […]
Promoción de la pesca sostenible en las Islas Baleares: Anna Masdeu Lalanza se une al equipo LIFE para gestionar esta nueva iniciativa.
Promoción de la pesca sostenible en las Islas Baleares: Anna Masdeu Lalanza se une al equipo LIFE para gestionar esta nueva iniciativa. La organización Low Impact Fishers of Europe (Pescadores Europeos de Bajo Impacto – LIFE) se ha asociado con la Fundación Marilles para lanzar un nuevo programa de trabajo en las islas Baleares. La […]
Promoting Sustainable Fishing in the Balearic Islands: Anna Masdeu Lalanza joins team LIFE to manage this new initiative.
Promoting Sustainable Fishing in the Balearic Islands: Anna Masdeu Lalanza joins team LIFE to manage this new initiative. The Low Impact Fishers of Europe has teamed up with the Marilles Foundation (https://marilles.org/en) to launch a new initiative, the “Sustainable Fishing Programme” in the Balearic Islands. This seeks to build on the many years of experience […]
Bluefin Tuna: an appeal for justice
Setting aside at least 15% of the quota for small-scale hook and line fishers would result in a massive relief for the small-scale segment Brussels, 25th of May 2020 Access the PR in French here Access the PR in Spanish here Access the PR in Italian here Today May 26th, small-scale fishers in France […]
Appel urgent de la PPPAF sur le Thon Rouge
Action contre l’injustice de la répartition du quota de thon rouge Le 26 mai 2020, la flottille de thoniers senneurs de Méditerranée débutera sa campagne de pêche du thon rouge. La Plateforme pour la Petite Pêche Française invite tous les pêcheurs artisans, en Atlantique ou en Méditerranée de communiquer aussi largement que possible sur la […]
Corona crisis hits Cyprus
Fishers are fighting the storm, locked down and chained up. 24th of April 2020 Across the EU, the work of fishers and other food producers has been classed as essential. Fishers are struggling heroically, putting their lives at risk to bring food to our tables. Despite this, lockdown and sanitary measures have closed markets at […]
IIMRO’s proposals to support fishing communities
Covid 19: Irish Islands’ Call for Tailored Emergency Measures for Small Scale Fishers 9th of April 2020 The Irish Islands Marine Organization (IIMRO http://www.iimro.org/index.html), representing islanders from Counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Cork, report that practically all of their members are tied up at present because of the collapse in the markets that usually take […]
Covid-19 and Small-Scale Fisheries
Markets Collapse and Fishers Left without Social Protection Brussels, 3rd of April 2020 Last Wednesday 1 April, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, contacted LIFE to ask about how the small scale fisheries sector is faring faced with the crisis caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. LIFE emphasised that a large section […]
Estamos contratando!
10/3/2020 OFERTA LABORAL Técnico de proyectos – PROGRAMA DE PESCA SOSTENIBLE BALEAR La organización LIFE (Low Impact Fishers of Europe) plataforma europea de pescadores profesionales de pequeña escala y bajo impacto y la Fundación Marilles – entidad sin ánimo de lucro que trabaja para la conservación del mar Balear – han unido fuerzas para impulsar […]
AKTEA’s women conquer Brussels
Recognized, respected and rewarded: Aktea calls for a fair treatment and a voice for women in fisheries and aquaculture Over 40 fisherwomen from 9 Member States gathered for three days to raise awareness about their work, on the need for gender equality and for their important contribution to European fisheries. Brussels, Belgium, 27h February 2019 […]
Encircling gillnet recognized as very selective
Fishers find their voice in the Netherlands: their traditional gear is finally recognized. Arjan Heinen, LIFE Member from NetVISwerk 28th of January 2020 The encircling gillnet (GNC) is a traditional fishing gear used in the Netherlands by small scale low impact fishers to catch mullet. The technique requires that the gear is set […]
Rencontre PELA-Méd dans le Var
Lutte contre le braconnage et la pêche illégale Planète Mer et le Cdpmem Var donnent rendez-vous aux professionnels le 6 février 2020 à partir de 8h30 au Palais du Commerce et de la Mer à Toulon pour une session d’information sur le rôle des gardes-jurés. “Cette journée, organisée dans le cadre du projet […]
Finland: Puruvesi fishers urgent call to the European Commission
The Finnish Winter Seining Fishery could soon disappear because of climate change UPDATE ON 22/01 Access here the response of DG Mare to the letter sent by LIFE members Brussels, 13th of January 2019 LIFE members from Snowchange Cooperative raise the alarm: ice melting is leading to the disappearance of the traditional seining fishery […]
A LIFE reflection on the LO
The Landings Obligation – No Simple Answers 11th of December 2019 Jeremy Percy On Monday, 2 December 2019, the PECH (Fisheries) Committee of the European Parliament organized a public hearing on State of play of the Landing Obligation: challenges and best practices (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/189086/Final%20Programme%20PECH%20public%20hearing-Landing%20Obligation_2.12.2019.2_EN-original.pdf). During the previous session of the Parliament, just over 18 months ago […]
LIFE calls to the PECH Committee for historic wrongs to be put right
The CFP has Created a Distorted Sea Brussels, 28th of november 2019 Brian O’Riordan For more than 3 decades successive Common Fisheries Policies have discriminated against and marginalised small-scale low impact fishers and their communities, favouring industrialised overfishing. In a letter addressed to the Chair of the Fisheries (Pech) Committee of the European Parliament, LIFE […]
Call to the EC for an inclusive Ocean Strategy
Small scale fisheries organisations and NGOs join forces for an inclusive Oceans Strategy that takes into account the rights of fishing communities Brussels, 21st of november 2019 On World Fisheries Day, LIFE and an international network of organizations call to the European Commissioner-designate for Environment and Oceans, Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, for an inclusive oceans strategy […]
Stop to harmful subsidies
Fisheries Subsidies: public funds for public good, not individual gain. Not to help us fish more, but to help us fish better. Brussels, 4th of October 2019 Brian O’Riordan The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) advocates that public funds should be used for public good, not individual gain. Fisheries and the marine environment are […]
LIFE meets the new Commissioner
LIFE Meets with Commissioner-designate for the Environment and Oceans, Virginijus Sinkevičius Fisheries are, and will continue to be, an integral part of the EU’s blue economy – with an essential role to play in decarbonizing the food sector and in food security, LIFE was informed. Small-scale low impact fisheries could play an important role […]
Regional Plan of Action for SSFs
Mediterranean fisheries RPOA-SSF monitoring framework and priority actions Download it here This document provides a common framework to guide the implementation of the Regional plan of action for small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RPOA-SSF). For each main section within the RPOA-SSF the document identifies: – General indicators to measure […]
Cetaceans-Fisheries Interactions in the Med
LIFE Launches Initiative to Study Cetaceans- Fisheries Interactions The initiative involves the close collaboration between scientists and fishers, combining fishers local and experiential knowledge with scientific information in the quest for solutions. Brussels, 9th of September 2019 The month of August saw LIFE and its partners launching an initiative in 3 areas of […]
Looking for cod in the Baltic
Whither Cod: where have all the codfish gone? Brussels, 28 September 2019 Brian O’Riordan What are the future prospects for fisheries in the Baltic Sea following the collapse of this keystone stock? The time to act is past. LIFE said this in March. We say it again. We now live effectively in […]
Expulsion of Beam Trawlers from the Skagerrak (DK).
Danish Low Impact Small-scale Fishers Call for the Expulsion of Destructive Beam Trawlers from the Skagerrak. Protestors occupy Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen over the invasion of the destructive Dutch beam trawl fleet. Copenhagen, August 28, 2019: This morning a group of small-scale coastal fishermen from Hanstholm, Thorupstrand, Løkken, Hirtshals […]
Hands Across the Water
EU and North African small scale fishers join hands with EU Ministers to address common problems in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Marrakech, Morocco 12 June 2019 Brian O’Riordan Today in Marrakech, Morocco, representatives of small-scale fishers from the European Union and North Africa committed themselves to working together to enable Mediterranean small-scale […]
Final call for Eastern Baltic cod
FINAL CALL for Eastern Baltic cod Protest of Polish small-scale fishers. Warsaw, 27 February 2019 (photo: M. Ruciński) Warsaw, 15th of March 2019 Marcin Ruciński Sustaining the Eastern Baltic cod stock has been priority a for LIFE, given the historical importance of this stock as the very basis for livelihoods of many […]
Co-gestion: le Var rencontre la Catalogne
11 Mars 2019 Dans le cadre du projet PELA-Méd, les pêcheurs aux petits métiers du Var ont rencontré leurs homologues catalans. Partage d’expériences sur les bénéfices d’une gestion partagée entre pêcheurs, administration, associations environnementales et scientifiques qui fait tous les jours ses preuves en Catalogne. Accédez au Communiqué de Presse en Français ici Access […]
SPMO: une OP pour la petite pêche
Le Syndicat professionnel des pêcheurs petits métiers d’Occitanie lance un projet d’OP à l’échelle de la Méditerranée française Port-la-Nouvelle, 5 Mars 2019 En Méditerranée française, les petits métiers ont géré leurs pêcheries et leurs territoires pendant des siècles en se fondant sur leurs prud’homies (…) mais l’intérêt d’une Organisation de Producteurs semble s’imposer aujourd’hui comme […]
Poland: SSFs protest against the situation in the Baltic Sea
Polish small-scale fishers are efficient in their protest against the situation in the Baltic Sea Warsaw, 27th February 2019 Marcin Ruciński Access the official PR in English here Polski Français Español Deutsche
Old seadogs must learn new tricks
The End of Paper: In the Brave New World of Fisheries Control, all catch reporting to be electronic This is an opportunity to be grabbed with both hands: old seadogs must learn new tricks! Brussels, 20th of February 2019 Brian O’Riordan The European Fisheries Control Regulation is being revamped. Several recent reports, including from the […]
Nouvelles du Pont – Décembre 2018 et Janvier 2019
Décembre 2018 et Janvier 2019
Noticias desde la cubierta -Diciembre 2018 y Enero 2019
Diciembre 2018 y Enero 2019
WIEŚCI Z POKŁADU – Grudzień 2018 and Styczeń 2019
Grudzień 2018 and Styczeń 2019
Notizie dal ponte – dicembre 2018 e gennaio 2019
dicembre 2018 e gennaio 2019
Ειδήσεις από το Κατάστρωμα – Δεκέμβριος 2018 και Ιανουάριος 2019
Δεκέμβριος 2018 και Ιανουάριος 2019
Novosti- Prosinac 2018. i siječanj 2019.
Prosinac 2018. i siječanj 2019.
News from the Deck – December 2018 & January 2019
December 2018 & January 2019
Meet Macarena Molina, LIFE’s Project Manager for the Alboran Sea!
In the framework of its three years project “Mainstreaming small-scale low impact fisheries in the Mediterranean” funded by the MAVA Foundation, LIFE is reinforcing its presence on the ground in order to provide increased support to the small-scale fishing communities in the region (click here for more information on the project). Macarena Molina was selected to help LIFE […]
LabMAF – a Med project
Developing a Labelling Scheme for Mediterranean Small-scale and Artisanal Fish Products (LabMAF) 28th of January 2019 Jerneja Penca Small-scale and artisanal fisheries in the Mediterranean represent an important element of coastal communities engaging in low-impact fishing activities, providing local supplies of fresh fish on a daily basis, and forming an integral part of the […]
Vote on the 2021-2027 EMFF
The new EU fisheries fund must stay on course to help small-scale fishers! Brussels, 16th of January 2018 Brian O’Riordan and Marcin Ruciński LIFE calls on MEPs to reject amendments 10, 19, and 39, which aim to expand the definition of small-scale fisheries and create an uneven playing field across Europe. Imperfect as it […]
Vote on the WestMed MAP
LIFE writes to the Members of the European Parliament Brussels, 9th of January 2019 In the light of the vote on the Multiannual Plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea that will take place on the 10th of January 2019 at 9:00 in the PECH Committee, LIFE writes to the […]
Noticias desde la cubierta -Noviembre 2018
Noviembre 2018
WIEŚCI Z POKŁADU – Listopad 2018
Listopad 2018
Notizie dal ponte – novembre 2018
novembre 2018
Ειδήσεις από το Κατάστρωμα – Νοέμβριος 2018
Νοέμβριος 2018
Nouvelles du Pont – Novembre 2018
Novembre 2018
Novosti- Studeni 2018
Studeni 2018
News from the Deck – November 2018
November 2018
Christmas Council Annual Quota Carve Up: Getting the Balance Right
LIFE calls for a more level playing field and a fairer allocation of quota between larger scale and smaller scale fisheries. 19th December 2018 Update: LIFE reacts to the Council’s agreement on bass and eel LIFE is disappointed to note that Fisheries Ministers have failed to grasp the economic importance and the social and environmental […]
Expertengruppe Fischereikontrolle
Expertengruppe Fischereikontrolle, Arbeitsgruppe für digitale Komponenten zum Monitoring und zur Fangaufzeichnung in der Kleinfischerei am 4. Und 5.12.2018 in Brüssel. Bad Schwartau, 15.12. 2018 Wolfgang Albrecht Sehr geehrte Frau Veits Zunächst möchte ich Ihnen meinen besonderen Dank dafür aussprechen, dass mir als Mitglied im BSAC die Gelegenheit gegeben wurde an dieser wichtigen Arbeitsgruppe teilzunehmen. Die […]
LIFE position on Eel for 2019
LIFE reacts to the Commission’s proposal on Eel ahead of Monday’s Council Warsaw, 13th of December 2018 Marcin Ruciński Based on the publicly available information[1], LIFE understands that for 2019, the Commission has proposed to extend the existing mechanism of „movable” 3-month eel closure to be applied by Member States over a 5-month period […]
An unacceptable Mediterranean miscalculation!
Brussels, 10th of December 2018 The Director-General of the European Commission – DG Mare, Mr João Aguiar Machado, writes to the Chairman of the Mediterranean Advisory Council, Mr Giampolo Buonfiglio, objecting as unacceptable his use of the MEDAC to influence the decision-making process of the proposal for a Multi-Annual Plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks […]
Important news on LIFE’s operations
LIFE in transition Towards a stronger voice in Brussels and an increasing presence in the regions. As the majority fleet by far, small-scale fisheries merit their own place at the heart of Europe. Brussels, 29th November 2018 Meeting in Brussels on 15 November, the Low Impact Fishers of Europe’s (LIFE) Board of Directors […]
Noticias desde la cubierta -Octubre 2018
Octubre 2018
WIEŚCI Z POKŁADU – Październik 2018
Październik 2018
Notizie dal ponte – ottobre 2018
ottobre 2018
Ειδήσεις από το Κατάστρωμα – Οκτώβριος 2018
Οκτώβριος 2018
Nouvelles du Pont – Octobre 2018
Octobre 2018
Novosti- Listopad 2018
Listopad 2018
News from the Deck – October 2018
October 2018
LIFE writes to ICCAT’s Chair
An invaluable opportunity for a more sustainable and fair BfT fishery From the 12th to the 19th of November 2018 in Dubrovnik (Croatia) the 21st Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas will take place. The Meeting is the right time to draw the attention on the case of European small-scale […]
Great expectations in the Med & Black Sea
Deep Rooted Problems, Great Expectations: can the Ministerial declaration and regional plan of action signed recently in Malta turn the tide of fortune for small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea? Brussels, 5th of November 2018 Brian O’Riordan On 26 September in Malta, 18 Mediterranean and Black Sea coastal states committed themselves to developing […]
BFT: from recovery to fair management
Bluefin Tuna: the move from recovery to management must directly benefit coastal artisanal fleets. It is high time that coastal artisanal fisheries were included in the strategy to manage fishing effort, conserve stocks and distribute the benefits from the recovering Bluefin tuna resources in an equitable manner. Brussels, 25th October 2018 Brian O’Riordan LIFE […]
Noticias desde la cubierta – Septiembre 2018
Septiembre 2018
Nouvelles du Pont – Septembre 2018
Septembre 2018
WIEŚCI Z POKŁADU – Wrzesień 2018
Wrzesień 2018
Notizie dal ponte – settembre 2018
settembre 2018
Ειδήσεις από το Κατάστρωμα – Σεπτέμβριος 2018
Σεπτέμβριος 2018
Novosti- Rujan 2018
Rujan 2018
News from the Deck – September 2018
September 2018
Landing obligation: state of play in the EP
Calm before the storm: hearing in the European Parliament on the state of play of the landing obligation before its full implementation in January 2019 proves lack lustre. Brussels, 11th october 2018 Brian O’Riordan Full agenda: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/PECH/DV/2018/10-08/ProgrammeHearingLandingObligation_EN.pdf Given the title of the hearing, one would have expected a more interesting and informative meeting. However, we […]
Meet Alicia Said, our Project Manager for Malta
Brussels, 11th October 2018 Claudia Orlandini In the framework of its three years project “Mainstreaming small-scale low impact fisheries in the Mediterranean” funded by the MAVA Foundation, LIFE is reinforcing its presence on the ground in order to provide increased support to the small-scale fishing communities in the region (click here for more information on the […]
News from the Deck – July & August 2018
July & August 2018
Noticias desde la cubierta – Julio y Agusto 2018
Julio y Agusto 2018
Veşti de pe punte – Iulie şi August 2018
Iulie şi August 2018
Notícias do convés – Julho, Agosto 2018
Julho – Agosto 2018
WIEŚCI Z POKŁADU – lipiec i sierpień 2018
lipiec i sierpień 2018
Notizie dal ponte – luglio e agosto 2018
luglio e agosto 2018
Ειδήσεις από το Κατάστρωμα – Ιούλιος και Άυγουστος 2018
Ιούλιος και Άυγουστος 2018
Nouvelles du Pont – Juillet et Août 2018
Juillet et Août 2018
Neuigkeiten von Deck – Juli und August 2018
Juli und August 2018
Novosti- Srpanj i kolovoz 2018
Srpanj i kolovoz 2018
News from the Deck – July & August 2018
July & August 2018
WestMedMAP – amendments
Barcelona, 17th of september 2018 Marta Cavallé The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) Platform shares its input on the regulation establishing a multi-annual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea (WestMed MAP) that should be voted by the Parliament during this autumn. LIFE members agree that the main focus […]
Festival of Northern Fishing Traditions 2018
Tornio, Finland: 150 Small-Scale and Indigenous Fishermen join forces to address common challenges Access the official PR here
Action Plan for Eastern Baltic cod
Action Plan for Eastern Baltic cod stock following the discussions on ICES advice for 2019 Warsaw, Monday 3rd of September 2018 Marcin Ruciński The situation The Eastern Baltic cod stock, for long the cornerstone stock supporting the livelihoods of many Baltic fishers, and a key element of the Baltic ecosystem, has been in a downward trend […]
New European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
A Blue Revolution in the Making and a chance not to be missed for small-scale fishers! Under the new EMFF proposal all Member States must submit an Action Plan for small scale coastal fishing as part of their national Operational Programmes. The Commission proposal also calls for small scale fisheries to be given “preferential treatment […]
Women in Fisheries website launched
New research exploring women’s roles in fishing families officially gets going, as the Women in Fisheries project launches its new website. The study is examining how women contribute to the survival of both fishing families and the fishing industry, and will shed light on women’s roles, identities and wellbeing. Collecting data on both sides […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
Time for a paradigm shift
Kick off of the European co-management Focus group Barcelona, 19th of June 2018 Fishers organisation representatives, public officials, NGOs and other stakeholders met on the 18th in Barcelona, Spain, to formally set up a Focus Group to promote an effective and inclusive form of fisheries governance across Europe based on the approach of co-management. Access […]
If you have a news story or details of an event that might be relevant to small-scale fishers in Europe please email communications@lifeplatform.eu