December 2024

News about fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant fishing communities

 

LIFE Welcomes Swedish Initiative on Baltic Sea Fisheries Management

LIFE Baltic members welcome the Swedish government’s assignment to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) to pilot a scientific project on spatial management for pelagic fishing in the Baltic Sea.

The initiative was presented in the framework of the Baltic Sea Advisory Council works for comments by the membership. It focuses on monitoring herring stocks to evaluate biomass, stock structure, and size trends while distinguishing fisheries impacts from other environmental factors. A proposed study area in the Central Baltic Sea will test annual restrictions on Sweden-flagged vessels using towed gear for pelagic fishing, with exemptions for vessels under 24 meters targeting fish for human consumption.

LIFE supports this proactive, holistic approach to strengthen fisheries knowledge and management and sustain both fish stocks and coastal communities. Additional details on LIFE’s position are available here. 

 

European Parliament Approves New College of Commissioners

Following a robust debate with Ursula von der Leyen on her new team and programme, on 27 November the European Parliament voted to approve the College of Commissioners. The results saw 370 MEPs in favor, 282 against, and 36 abstentions. Ahead of the vote, President von der Leyen reaffirmed her commitment to Parliament’s priorities, noting the portfolio adjustments made during the evaluation process. 

One of the key appointments within the new Commission is Mr. Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, who secured backing from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH) following his hearing on 6 November.

Nominated by the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Kadis showcased his expertise and readiness to address the challenges of his portfolio and explained how he will address his  Mission Letter, including climate change, invasive species, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, unauthorized shipping, fisheries science, the blue economy, and Marine Spatial Planning.

The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) warmly welcome Mr. Kadis’s appointment. He has pledged to prioritize the needs of small-scale fisheries by working to ensure equitable access to marine resources, enhanced sectoral support, and improved market opportunities. This commitment aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of small-scale fishers across Europe.

Additionally, Mr. Kadis underlined the importance of optimising the use of Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), an often-overlooked mechanism that promotes sustainability, incentivizes best practices, and advances social equity.

LIFE looks forward to collaborating closely with him and his team to advance shared objectives aligned with our Manifesto for sustainable and equitable fisheries.

 

LIFE to Coordinate  Discussions on Energy Transition  for Small-Scale Fisheries

LIFE Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, has been appointed to coordinate the Small-Scale Fisheries Working Group under the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP).

Launched by the European Commission (DG Mare) last year,  DG Mare is now creating a Support Group, made up of 10 coordinators, whose role is essential in fostering the exchange of inputs, recommendations, and best practices within the sector. As a bottom-up advisory and consultative body, these Coordinators will play a pivotal role in assisting the European Commission by providing insights and guiding the development of the Energy Transition roadmap—an actionable plan to be delivered by the end of 2025, with measurable milestones aimed at supporting the transition to a sustainable future.

To ensure that small-scale fisheries are at the forefront of a sustainable and inclusive energy transition, LIFE is committed to engaging fishers directly in the process. By gathering insights, addressing challenges, and facilitating the exchange of best practices, LIFE aims to advocate for an equitable transition that reflects the needs and realities of small-scale fishers across Europe.

This role also complements LIFE’s work in Seaglow, an EU-funded project demonstrating innovative low-carbon technologies for small-scale fishing vessels of which LIFE is partner. By integrating insights from and for both initiatives, LIFE aims to drive practical and sustainable energy solutions for the sector.

Registration is  open for the first workshop, “Navigating the Energy Transition: Strategic Goals for a Resilient and Sustainable Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries,” which will take place on 11 December 2024, from 9:30 to 13:30 in Brussels and online.

 

LIFE Staff Attend Re-Launch of Parliament Recreational Fisheries Forum

On 13 November 2024, LIFE Brussels staff attended the relaunch of the European Parliament’s Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment. The event, chaired by MEP Michal Wiezik (Renew Europe), focused on the socio-economic and environmental benefits of the EU’s recreational fisheries sector. Mark Owen (EAA President) and Gerard Bakkenes (EFTTA Chair) outlined key challenges and opportunities for the sector over the next five years. The event also provided an excellent networking opportunity, to meet new MEPs, and to discuss the mutual interests of small-scale fishers and recreational fisheries.

 

RoundGoby Project Partners meet in Gdańsk

LIFE Baltic and North Sea Coordinator attended the second in-person meeting of the RoundGoby project in Gdańsk. The meeting included updates on pilot activities and the development and marketing of Round Goby products as both human and pet food.

A side-event featured tastings of Round Goby chips and prototypes of canned, minced products, developed by Kaunas University of Technology and Baltijos Konservai. Swedish partners also showcased Round Goby burgers, and a chef team from Kalmar kommun prepared innovative dishes.

 

Open calls for proposals

Deadline 11/12: Algae Accelerator

A six-month mentorship programme designed to help businesses in the algae value chain refine their strategies, address industry challenges, and bring sustainable alternatives to market.

Deadline 13/12: Second Cycle of Technical Assistance to Support Communities of Actors to Achieve the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters Objectives

The technical assistance supports selected applicants in strengthening actions aligned with the Mission Ocean and Waters targets. It offers tailored expert support, including technical assessments and feasibility studies, covering regulatory, technical, economic, operational, environmental, and commercial aspects.

 

Coming up

3/12 in Brussels: In person event in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Thomas Bajada on the “Follow the Fish” Statement: speakers from civil society, the food industry and seafood companies will discuss the importance of having more information on the fish EU consumers eat. Registration is accessible here.

4-5/12 in Brussels and online: LIFE staff will attend the next PECH meeting. Topics on the agenda include a Workshop on “The future of the EU fishing fleet − First assessment of Member States’ EMFAF programmes for 2021-27”, organised by Policy Department B and a Public Hearing on How scientific advice is developed for EU Fisheries Policy decisions. Works will be boradcasted here. 

9/12 online: LIFE Policy Advisor, Brian O’Riordan, will take the floor in this webinar organised by ClientEarth on the energy transition of EU fisheries and focusing on presenting the report “Capacity Ceilings in EU Fisheries: Obstacle or Opportunity for the Decarbonisation Process?”. Registration is accessible here.