LIFE Platform

News about fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant fishing communities

21/4 LIFE’s Contribution to the CFP Consultation

Earlier this year, the European Commission launched a public consultation to assess the effectiveness of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This builds on the 2023 “Pact for Fisheries and Oceans” and the 2024 Call for Evidence on the CFP.  As part of this important process, LIFE submitted a detailed response, bringing forward the voices, insights, and concerns of small-scale fishers from across Europe.

Our contribution highlights the challenges faced on the water, the gaps between policy and practice, and the urgent need for a CFP that truly works for low-impact, small-scale fishing communities. 

9/4 LIFE Exchanges with Commissioner Kadis on Fair Policies for Small-Scale Fishers 

9/4 Brussels, Belgium – LIFE President Gwen Pennarun joined LIFE staff to meet with EU Commissioner Kadis and his team, using the opportunity to address the key challenges facing Europe’s small-scale fisheries.. LIFE presented its vision for a fair and sustainable future for the sector, highlighting how the 2024–2029 European Commission mandate could strengthen support for the small-scale fleet. Pennarun was able to share his professional experience of how opportunities to achieve fair fisheries are being squandered through unfair policies and partial implementation of the CFP, providing the concrete examples of Bluefin tuna, pollack, and seabass. He also highlighted his work to train and guide young fishers into the profession, and how partial implementation of the CFP – notably Article 17 – has led to future generations of fishers being discriminated against, albeit unintentionally. 

Discussions covered priority issues such as the implementation of Article 17, SSF engagement through Producer Organisations and Advisory Councils, and the urgent need for more comprehensive, reliable scientific advice, with a review of how MSY and fishing levels are set.

LIFE contributes to the Dialogue on Energy Transition in EU Small-Scale Fisheries

7/4 Brussels, Belgium – The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) for the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector, under the European Commission (DG MARE) held hybrid workshops for the small-scale, large-scale and distant water fleets in the framework of the event “Navigating the Future of EU Fisheries Through Energy Transition”. The first exchange  focused on Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries (SSCF) and was presented by LIFE’s Executive Secretary Marta Cavallé, who is also  coordinator of this working group. Participants explored key challenges and opportunities in the shift to low-emission energy, building on prior ETP sessions and using case studies to guide discussion. 

LIFE Advocates for Small-Scale Fishers at InterAC meeting

8/4 Brussels, Belgium – LIFE staff represented the Baltic Sea Advisory Council at the recent InterAC event, where we participated in a roundtable discussion on the Vision for EU Fisheries in 2040, at the presence of EU Commissioner Costas Kadis. During the session, LIFE underscored the urgent need to enhance access to fish stocks and called on the European Commission to provide stronger support for the small-scale fishing sector—an essential pillar of sustainable and resilient coastal communities.

President Gwen Pennarun and LIFE staff meet French MEP Eric Sargiacomo on Small-Scale Fisheries Priorities

8/4 Brussels, Belgium – President Gwen Pennarun and LIFE staff held a constructive meeting with MEP Eric Sargiacomo (S&D) focused on key issues facing small-scale fishers and coastal communities. Sargiacomo expressed strong support for the men and women who take to the sea each day to provide quality seafood, sustain coastal communities, and preserve traditional knowledge. “They provide an indispensable thread in the social fabric that holds our coastal communities together”, he said. The discussion touched on crucial topics including maritime spatial planning, climate change, fishing opportunities, resource sharing, and fisheries governance—all of which require collaborative action moving forward.

Event in the European Parliament: Small-scale fisheries turning digital: how to do it right?

23/4 Brussels, Belgium – The Fish-X Project, in which LIFE participates, organised its final workshop ahead of the project ending later this year in July. Fish-X has been developing digital tools for vessel monitoring and catch reporting to empower small-scale fishers and which respond to the amended Fisheries Control Regulation. According to the project, digitalisation is not optional, but essential to achieve fair and sustainable fisheries. 

The event, hosted by the EPP and Renew Europe political groups, centred around a panel comprising two small-scale fishers from Croatia and Portugal, MEPs, DG Mare, and technical experts. Opening the discussion, Croatian MEP Zeljana Zovoka, EPP, called for a balanced approach (to fisheries control), highlighting the burden of excessive regulation on the one hand, and the fishers’ lack of a voice on the other. She noted that “digitalisation is a powerful tool, but only if it serves the people”. The meeting was closed by MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, who highlighted how small-scale fisheries is leading in the digital transformation of the fishing sector; that AI will not replace fishers, but will provide an essential tool.

Pioneering a Sustainable Round Goby Fishery in the Baltic Sea

As part of our initiative to develop a commercial round goby fishery in the Baltic Sea, LIFE is funding test fishing operations in Germany and Sweden through mid-June 2025. The aim is to design and evaluate viable fishing gear while working alongside scientists to deepen our understanding of the round goby stock. This work lays the foundation for a sustainable fishery, and LIFE will continue its efforts on this project through 2027.

Coming up:

12-15/5 ICES Baltic advice drafting group

LIFE staff will attend as an observer the ICES advice drafting group for Baltic Sea stocks. Scientists present their findings from annual surveys and their advice for next year regarding the development and recommendations for each fish stock. 

19-20/4 The next PECH meeting will take place on Monday, 19 May 2025, 15:00 to 18:30 (tbc) and Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 09:00 to 12:30 & 14:30 to 18:30 in the room SPAAK 5B1 (Brussels).

21-23/4 European Maritime Days (Cork): LIFE will attend the EMD,  the place where ‘Ocean Leaders Meet’. It provides an engaging and interactive experience to catch up on the current state of play on a broad range of issues concerning the blue economy and the marine environment and to discuss ways of moving forward.

News about fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant fishing communities

LIFE Swedish Members Urge EU Commissioner to Take Action on Baltic Sea Crisis

27/3 Simrishamn, Sweden – LIFE representatives Bengt Larsson (SYEF) and Stefan Nordin (Kustfiskarna Bottenhavet PO) met with EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis in Simrishamn, Sweden, to highlight the Baltic Sea’s ecological decline and the urgent need to protect small-scale fisheries.

The meeting was organized in the framework of the visits of Commissioner Kadis to fishing communities on the ground, initiated by Swedish MEPs and hosted by the Marine Centre, brought together MEPs, fishers, scientists, environmental groups, and officials. Larsson called for science-based quota reductions, stressing that “we can survive low quotas, but not more closures,” referencing the ineffective cod fishing ban since 2019.

Research from BalticWaters showed cod stocks can recover with better food access, but the ongoing overfishing and poor management of prey species like herring and sprat continues to undermine the ecosystem and prospects for the fishery. Commissioner Kadis acknowledged the urgency and announced a Baltic-wide Ministerial Meeting for September.

LIFE thanks the Velux Foundation for supporting its work toward sustainable fisheries in the region.

Make Fishing Fair: Small-Scale Fishers Bring their Fight for Justice to Brussels

25/3 Brussels – LIFE members gathered at the European Parliament to demand fairness in fisheries management. Hosted by MEPs Isabella Lövin, Emma Fourreau, and Luke Ming Flanagan, and co-organised by LIFE and Blue Ventures, the event tackled the ongoing injustices facing the EU’s “forgotten fleet” – the small-scale fishing operators.

With the EU currently reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), discussions focused on the failure to implement Article 17, which calls for transparent and objective quota allocation based on environmental, social, and economic criteria. MEPs and fishers called out the dominance of industrial fleets and the use of “catch history” to allocate quota, and the lack of transparency. They urged that guidelines be established with a binding implementation plan to support low-impact fishers. Article 17 has the potential to provide a fair access to resources for small-scale and low impact fishers and a mechanism to reward those who are committed to sustainability and whose activity generates the highest social benefits. Its implementation could enable a progressive transition over the years and provide a true incentive for making sustainable fisheries a reality.

With the EU Ocean Pact and third UN Ocean Conference now in sight, the call was clear: make fishing fair—now.  More information in our official press release. 

LIFE’s Executive Secretary Marta Cavallé Walks the Talk at POLITICO Europe Event: Small-scale Fisheries have a Preeminent Role to Play in the Future of EU Ocean Policy 

3/3 Brussels – LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, recently took part in Politico Europe’s high-level event, “Walking the Talk on the European Oceans Pact” alongside EU Commissioner Costas Kadis, MEP Isabella Lövin, and other key voices in the ocean policy space.

Marta delivered a compelling masterclass on the crucial role of small-scale, low-impact fishers—emphasizing that they are not only part of Europe’s cultural heritage but also potential game changers in addressing environmental challenges, securing livelihoods, and anchoring resilient coastal economies.

She highlighted that there are no “win-win” solutions when it comes to expanding the blue economy, warning that not all maritime activities are compatible and that they have different impacts on the oceans.The need for trade-offs must be acknowledged—particularly between food and energy security on the one hand and maintaining a healthy oceans on the other.

Marta reinforced LIFE’s call for the creation of a 12-mile regenerative zone, reserved for low-impact fishing and managed through co-management regimes, as a necessary step to offset and mitigate the pressures of blue economy expansion.

The event helped put small-scale fishers firmly on the EU ocean agenda at a pivotal time in shaping sustainable ocean governance.

Listed Ports Exemptions: A Glaring Lacuna in EU Fisheries Control Regulation

10/3 online – LIFE has published an article raising concerns over a recent derogation introduced through the EU Fisheries Control Regulation Implementing Act. Just months after stricter catch reporting rules were adopted, a new Implementing Act exempts vessels landing unsorted catches in as yet undisclosed “Listed Ports,” weakening the regulation’s core aim of accurate, species-level reporting.

The measure benefits large-scale industrial fleets and risks repeating past policy failures, such as the ineffective Landing Obligation, by enabling continued misreporting and undermining transparency.

LIFE calls for urgent clarification, enforcement, and fair application of the rules across all fleet segments to safeguard fish stocks and ensure accountability.

European Ocean Days: an opportunity to raise the profile of small-scale fisheries

3/3 Brussels – LIFE took part in European Ocean Days in Brussels organised by the European Commission—a dynamic week of events focused on shaping the future of Europe’s ocean policy. Representing the Seaglow project, LIFE joined Day 2 of the Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters Forum at Charlemagne, spotlighting innovative, scalable solutions and reviewing progress toward the EU’s 2030 ocean restoration targets. Discussions emphasized collaboration with local authorities, private sectors, and regions to scale impact.

The following day, LIFE participated in the Fisheries and Oceans Dialogues, central to co-designing the European Ocean Pact. This key session gathered stakeholders to build a roadmap toward a healthy ocean, a sustainable blue economy, and stronger marine knowledge.Together with partners CAOPA and the CFFA, LIFE amplified the voices of small-scale fishers, stressing their vital role in sustaining marine ecosystems and coastal communities. 

LIFE at Fish-X Conference: Advancing the Digital Future of EU Fisheries

18/3 Online – LIFE attended the Fish-X Conference + Expo, where the Fish-X Roadmap for Digital Transformation of EU Fisheries until 2030 was launched. The event highlighted new digital tools like the Fish-X Dataspace & Insight Platform, aimed at supporting the updated EU Fisheries Control and CMO Regulations.

Discussions emphasized the need for a shared, actionable plan to ensure effective digitalisation rollout and adoption across all fisheries sectors. LIFE appreciates that small-scale fishers are considered central in this digital shift and digitalisation responds to their specific needs.

Attendees also engaged with Fish-X partners through virtual expo booths and pre-booked meetings.

ETP SSF working group second meeting 

27/03 Online – LIFE organised the 2nd meeting of the SSF Working Group of the Energy Transition, focused on the “technological solutions, research and innovation gaps”. Following the conclusions of the previous meeting, a panel of speakers was invited to help attendeesbetter understand the state of play of technological solutions and best practices for energy transition in the SSF sector. Facilitated exchanges between fishers and engineers were highly productive, putting forward  key recommendations, including the need to accelerate the prototype design phase, through a localised and participatory approach. Next meeting will take place on April 28th, focusing on the regulatory framework, monitoring and finance.    

Coming up:

7/4 Brussels: Workshop: “Navigating the future of EU Fisheries through the energy transition”

8-9/4 Brussels: Inter-AC meeting: Vision for EU fisheries in 2040 and Dialogue with DG MARE on key fisheries topics related to the CFP

9/4 Brussels: PECH Committee meeting

23/4 Brussels: Event in the EP organised by WWF “Small-scale fisheries turning digital: how to do it right?”

28-30/4 Poland: EU Mission Oceans & Waters Mission Arena 4

Press review:

Make fishing fair event:

Fishing Daily

Industrias Pesqueras

The Skipper

Fisker Forum 

We are aquaculture

Mundus Maris

Control regulation

Industrias Pesqueras

News about fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant fishing communities

COMING UP: LIFE and Blue Ventures, with the support of MEPs Isabella Lövin (the Greens/EFA), Emma Fourreau, and Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left), are organizing the event “Make Fishing Fair: Unlocking Art. 17 for a Just Fishing Future” on March 25th from 12:00 to 14:30 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event will feature guest speakers, including LIFE members from France, Ireland, and Sweden, MEPs Paulo di Nascimento Cabral (EPP) and Karin Karlsbro (Renew) and representatives from the EU Commission/DG Mare D3 unit. Register here. 

LIFE’s Newly elected President Gwen Pennarun takes the floor at the High-level “Ocean Pact” meeting with Commissioner Kadis

20/2 – LIFE’s newly elected President, Gwen Pennarun, spoke at the High-Level Roundtable “Fisheries and Oceans Dialogue – Helping Design the European Oceans Pact” organized by the European Commission’s DG MARE. With the participation of Commissioner Costas Kadis and key decision-makers, the discussion focused on the need to foster a broader, integrated and holistic approach to EU ocean governance, biodiversity protection, sustainable growth in the blue economy, and the need to strengthen marine knowledge and support coastal communities.

This event followed two intensive days at the European Parliament, where LIFE staff and Gwen Pennarun engaged with MEPs and attended the PECH Committee meeting to advocate for low-impact small-scale fisheries. Discussions covered small-scale fisheries in the EU, Article 17, and upcoming EU and international fisheries initiatives. Some MEPs raised concerns about the need for a binding framework for fair quota allocation, the depletion of Baltic stocks due to large-scale interests, and the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into fisheries management. LIFE remains committed to ensuring small-scale fishers have a strong voice in EU decision-making.

Exchange on Small-Scale Fisheries in the EU and Article 17 in the European Parliament

19/2 – The Pech Committee of the European Parliament had an exchange with DG Mare on small-scale fisheries in the EU and Article 17 of the CFP basic Regulation. Key takeaways: the Commission does not see a clear role to play in implementing Article 17, but are committed to publishing a Vademecum on Article 17 and driving improvements so long as their role allows for that. Several MEPs commented on the need for a new definition of SSF – including tonnage and size beyond vessel length. One MEP warned about putting SSF against the larger scale sector (LSF) in obtaining quota, whilst another highlighted that Article 17 looked fine on paper, but the reality was that LSF had concentrated most of the quota and there was none available to transfer to SSF. There were also calls for “proper and fair” quota allocation and access to EMFAF funding for SSF from MEPs. 

Building Global Alliances: LIFE Executive Secretary travels to Sri Lanka 

24-26/2 – LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, was invited to attend the International Workshop “Strengthening Collaboration and Capacity-Building in Small-scale Fisheries”, held in Sri Lanka and organised by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF). With more than 60 participants from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, the workshop was a great opportunity to strengthen collaborations and alliances between the SSF movements across the globe and draft a strategy to enhance capacity and support. On the first day, Marta Cavallé presented to the global audience the results of the collective European Regional YAFA workshop held in 2022 with ICSF and Mulleres Salgadas. In particular, she highlighted the main challenges for the European SSF sector and the related final statement and call to action. The statement laid the groundwork for broader reflection on collective action within the global SSF movement and highlighted shared goals.

Advancing the Energy Transition in Small-Scale Fisheries: Insights from the First Working Group Meeting

10/2 – The first meeting of the Working Group for SSF within the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) aimed to introduce the European Commission Initiative to the group, familiarize participants with one another, and conduct an initial brainstorming session on the Energy Transition. Coordinated by LIFE, this meeting marked the first in a series of four, designed to provide concrete recommendations to the European Commission for developing an actionable Energy Transition plan by early 2026.

The meeting brought together 16 small-scale fishers and their representatives from 13 different countries, some of whom are actively engaged in projects and have experience in the field. It served as a platform to highlight key challenges and opportunities while beginning to identify the primary human, technical, financial, and regulatory barriers and enablers necessary for the SSF sector’s Energy Transition.

The next meeting, scheduled for March 27, will focus on technical and research gaps. Experts in the field, along with fishers already advancing case studies and solutions, will be invited to gain deeper insights into the current state of Energy Transition technologies in small-scale fisheries.

Multi-AC workshop on the Control Regulation

5/2 – LIFE participated in the NWWAC workshop on the Control Regulation and later sought clarification on two key points. The Commission discussed developing a catch reporting app, prompting requests for details on its design, functionality, trial locations, and implementation timeline. Clarification was also sought on listed ports receiving a margin of tolerance derogation. Questions focused on how these ports improve species composition data in unsorted mixed landings, the tools ensuring species catch weights remain within a 10% margin, and whether the Commission has compared these methods with modern control techniques like DNA testing.

LIFE Board of Directors Elects New President and Sets Future Priorities

12/2 – The LIFE Board of Directors met to elect a new President, as Christian Decugis stepped down after 7 years of leadership (since November 2018). Following discussions and a show of hands, Gwen Pennarun from Brittany, France, was elected, marking the start of a new chapter in LIFE’s advocacy for small-scale fishers.

The Board reviewed LIFE’s 2025 budget, with the staff presenting the key planned activities and underpinning financial resources available. Discussions then focused on priorities for the Xth Legislature, including LIFE’s position on the European Oceans Pact, a proposal for a Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council (SSF AC) and its potential role, and the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the pros and cons of its reform.

This meeting reinforced LIFE’s strategic direction, ensuring small-scale fishers remain at the heart of EU policy discussions.

Eurobarometer: Shifting Trends in Seafood Consumption Across Europe

Latest Eurobarometer report finds that seafood consumption in Europe has declined since 2021, with only one-third of respondents eating fishery and aquaculture products weekly—a 4% drop—while 15% never consume them at home.

Price is now the top factor in purchasing decisions (55%), overtaking product appearance. Economic pressures are driving a shift toward frozen and tinned products over fresh seafood. Coastal residents consume more fish and prefer wild-caught products, while landlocked consumers show less concern about production methods.

Labeling remains important, with 69% valuing the date of catch or harvest. However, interest in environmental labeling has declined by 8 percentage points.

For the first time, the survey examined seaweed and algae consumption. While not yet mainstream, two-thirds have tried algae products in the past year, mainly in sushi, with half enjoying the taste and one-third recognizing health benefits.

The Shocking Costs of Electrification

LIFE’s Senior Adviser, Jeremy Percy, attended a presentation of a fishing vessel electrification project. A key issue he highlights is the cost of converting existing fishing vessels from fossil fuel to battery power. Two major costs are administrative fees – around 15% of the total costs for the “red tape” required to obtain the necessary vessel certification and registration; and around 30% for labour – in this case, the time spent converting the boat by the fisher himself. Although he received a 60% grant, it did not cover either of these costs. On a positive note, our Senior Adviser commented that “much of the hardware costs are already coming down and the efficiency of electric motors, battery storage and solar panels is improving all the time.”

In the press

Seaglow in Eurofish Magazine Issue 1 2025

The Fishing Daily: MEP Flanagan demands fairer treatment for small-scale fishers

The Fishing Daily: Gwen Pennarun elected as LIFE President

Danish public radio (DR) on the misuse of EMFAF sustainability funds